stroke

noun

1

: the act of striking

especially : a blow with a weapon or implement

2

: a single unbroken movement

especially : one of a series of repeated or to-and-fro movements

3

a

: a controlled swing intended to hit a ball or shuttlecock

also : a striking of the ball

b

: such a stroke charged to a player as a unit of scoring in golf

4

a

: a sudden action or process producing an impact

a stroke of lightning

b

: something that happens suddenly and unexpectedly

a stroke of luck

the idea was a stroke of inspiration

a master stroke of diplomacy

5

: sudden impairment or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion that is caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of a blood vessel supplying the brain, and is accompanied by permanent damage of brain tissue

Note: Symptoms of stroke include numbness or weakness on one side of the body or face, confusion, impaired speech or vision, loss of coordination or balance, trouble walking, or severe headache.

called also apoplexy, brain attack, cerebrovascular accident

compare ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack

6

a

: one of a series of propelling beats or movements against a resisting medium

a stroke of the oar

b

: a rower who sets the pace for a crew

7

a

: a vigorous or energetic effort by which something is done, produced, or accomplished

a stroke of genius/inspiration

a brilliant diplomatic stroke

b

: a delicate or clever touch in a narrative, description, or construction

8

: heartbeat

9

: the movement in either direction of a mechanical part (such as a piston) having a reciprocating motion

also : the distance of such movement

10

: the sound of a bell being struck

at the stroke of twelve

also : the specific time indicated by or as if by such a sound

11

[stroke entry 1] : an act of stroking or caressing

12

a

: a mark or dash made by a single movement of an implement

the stroke of a pen

b

: one of the lines of a letter of the alphabet

see also:

at a stroke

Synonyms of stroke

• blow
• swipe
• thump
• hit
• punch
• slap
• pound
• knock
• thud
• lick
• whack
• poke
• smack
• bang
• beat

Examples of stroke in a Sentence

He had a stroke last winter.

She has a strong backhand stroke.

He is ahead by two strokes.

She swims with long, smooth strokes.

the stroke of an oar

She knows the four basic strokes.

Recent Examples on the Web

When someone experiences heat stroke, their body's temperature rises rapidly, potentially reaching 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in as little as 10 or 15 minutes, and is unable to cool itself down, the CDC warns. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 7 June 2026

First-round leader Jennifer Kupcho and three-time major champion In Gee Chun are tied for second, a stroke back at 5-under 208. —Bob Buttitta, Daily News, 7 June 2026

Lindsey died of heart failure following a stroke in 2012 at the age of 83. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026

Leão was spotted throwing a punch and Román reacted angrily and both were shown straight red cards on the stroke of halftime. —ABC News, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English; akin to Old English strīcan to stroke — more at strike

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stroke

• a stroke of genius
• a stroke of work
• at a stroke
• at the stroke of
• counter-stroke
• crawl stroke
• freestyle stroke
• ground stroke
• hemorrhagic stroke
• ischemic stroke
• mini-stroke
• put (someone) off his/her stroke
• stroke out
• stroke play
• trudgen stroke
• watershed stroke
• with a (single) stroke of a/the/his/her pen

Rhymes for stroke

• bloke
• boeck
• broke
• choke
• cloak
• cloke
• croak
• folk
• hoke
• joke
• moke
• oak

Kids Definition

stroke

1 of 3 verb

ˈstrōk 

stroked; stroking

1

: to rub gently in one direction

2

: to pass the hand over gently in kindness or tenderness

stroker noun

stroke

2 of 3 noun

1

: the act of striking

especially : a blow with a weapon or instrument

2

: a single unbroken movement

especially : one of a series of repeated or to-and-fro movements

3

: a striking of the ball in a game

especially : a striking or attempt to strike the ball that counts as the scoring unit in golf

4

a

: a sudden action or process that results in something being struck

stroke of lightning

b

: an unexpected result

stroke of luck

5

: sudden weakening or loss of consciousness or the power to feel or move caused by the breaking or blocking (as by a clot) of a blood vessel in the brain

called also apoplexy

6

: one of a series of movements that pushes against something

stroke of an oar

7

: a vigorous or energetic effort by which something is done, produced, or accomplished

a stroke of genius

8

: the movement or the distance of the movement in either direction of a mechanical part (as a piston) having a forward and backward motion

9

: the sound of a bell being struck

at the stroke of twelve

10

a

: a mark made by a single movement of a tool

a stroke of the pen

b

: one of the lines of a letter of the alphabet

stroke

3 of 3 verb

stroked; stroking

1

: to show or cancel with a line

stroked out my name

2

: hit entry 1 sense 1a

gently stroked the ball toward the hole

Etymology

Old English strācian "stroke, caress"

Middle English stroke "act of striking"

Medical Definition

stroke

noun

ˈstrōk 

: sudden impairment or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion that is caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of a blood vessel supplying the brain and is accompanied by permanent damage of brain tissue

Note: Symptoms of stroke include numbness or weakness on one side of the body or face, confusion, impaired speech or vision, loss of coordination or balance, trouble walking, or severe headache. The most common type of stroke, ischemic stroke, results from a narrowed or blocked blood vessel, while hemorrhagic stroke results from a ruptured blood vessel. A very brief interruption of blood supply to the brain usually without lasting effects is called a ministroke or a transient ischemic attack.

… people at risk for stroke should be evaluated for surgery to open up blockages in the arteries of the neck.

—Jay Siwek, The Washington Post

Partial paralysis and speech difficulties often follow these strokes.

—Bruce Bower, Science News

stroke survivors

called also apoplexy, brain attack, cerebral accident, cerebrovascular accident