1
a
: to propel oneself in water by natural means (such as movements of the limbs, fins, or tail)
b
: to play in the water (as at a beach or swimming pool)
2
: to move with a motion like that of swimming : glide
a cloud swam slowly across the moon
3
a
: to float on a liquid : not sink
b
: to surmount difficulties : not go under
Sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish …—
Daniel Webster
Daniel Webster4
: to become immersed in or flooded with or as if with a liquid
potatoes swimming in gravy
5
: to have a floating or reeling appearance or sensation
1
a
: to cross by propelling oneself through water
swim a stream
b
: to execute in swimming
2
: to cause to swim or float
1
: a smooth gliding motion
2
: an act or period of swimming
3
: a temporary dizziness or unconsciousness
4
a
: an area frequented by fish
b
: the main current of activity
in the swim
Examples of swim in a Sentence
Verb
He's teaching the children to swim.
She swam across the pool.
He swam the English Channel.
The racers must swim the backstroke.
We watched the fish swimming in the river.
Ducks swam in the pond.
I felt weak and my head was swimming.
The room swam before my eyes.
Noun
the merest glimpse of blood sends him into a swim
Recent Examples on the Web
Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Learning to swim While the North Stars would stay just two more seasons before new owner Norm Green moved them to Dallas in 1993, the Sharks stunk on the ice but were a huge hit in merchandise sales because of their unique teal uniforms.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Accardi will compete in collegiate sprint triathlons, which include a 750-meter swim, a 20-kilometer bike ride and a 5K run.
—Stephanie Ogilvie, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2025
Participants develop relaxation routines, including setting pre-swim intentions and establishing mid-dive attention anchors, to sharpen mental focus and soak up the ocean’s awe.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swim
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Verb
Authorities said a high-speed chase ensued when Castro bailed out of the vehicle with an infant and tried to swim across the river, which borders Mexico.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Learning to swim While the North Stars would stay just two more seasons before new owner Norm Green moved them to Dallas in 1993, the Sharks stunk on the ice but were a huge hit in merchandise sales because of their unique teal uniforms.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
Kaulitz wore light pink swim trunks and a gray cap as the couple spent the day swimming, strolling and sticking close together in the surf.
—Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Accardi will compete in collegiate sprint triathlons, which include a 750-meter swim, a 20-kilometer bike ride and a 5K run.
—Stephanie Ogilvie, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Some swim tracks cross-cut walking tracks, and most swim trackways are oriented toward the SSE.
—New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2025
Participants develop relaxation routines, including setting pre-swim intentions and establishing mid-dive attention anchors, to sharpen mental focus and soak up the ocean’s awe.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swim
Cite this Entry
“Swim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swim. Accessed 4 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
swim
2 of 2 noun1
: an act or period of swimming
2
: the main current of activity
in the swim of things
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