Definition of swim
swam
play \ˈswam\;swum
play \ˈswəm\;swimming
intransitive verb
1a : 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
3a : to float on a liquid : not sinkb : to surmount difficulties : not go under sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish — Daniel Webster
4 : 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
transitive verb
1a : to cross by propelling oneself through water swim a streamb : to execute in swimming
2 : to cause to swim or float
swimmer
nounExplore M-W
Examples of swim in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of swim from the Web
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The helicopter has traced an imprecise line above the Chao Phraya River, buzzing over Bangkok’s ancient temples and clotted highways before zeroing in on the Peninsula Bangkok hotel, where the bright green helipad seems to swim in the wavy heat.
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School-age children will learn to float properly, kick, and swim front crawl and backstroke.
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Kutzing, with the animal rescue group, said that deer can swim — even in the Long Island Sound — but that this deer was too young and appeared to be in a panic because it was separated from its mother.
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Taylor said that Armour was about 75 feet from shore and was swimming in about 35 feet of water.
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Second of all, ya lying!) What woman wants to arrive to work looking like she’s been swimming in a toxic fountain?
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The pool is used seven days a week and the city offers swimming lessons there.
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Egypt’s Interior Ministry said the attacker swam from a nearby public beach to gain access to the Sunny Days El Palacio resort in Hurghada, Reuters reported.
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Both works swim around in the vernacular of black womanhood, exploring how the black female identity is formed and expressed under surveillance.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swim.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of swim
Middle English swimmen, from Old English swimman; akin to Old High German swimman to swim
swim
Definition of swim
1 : a smooth gliding motion
2 : an act or period of swimming
3 : a temporary dizziness or unconsciousness
4a : an area frequented by fishb : the main current of activity in the swim
Examples of swim in a Sentence
the merest glimpse of blood sends him into a swim
Recent Examples of swim from the Web
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Diaz was last seen Saturday night on the rear swim platform of a 38-foot cabin cruiser that was nearing the docks in Stamford Harbor, Schain said.
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Ertel covered the one-kilometer swim off Spanish Landing, 30K bike up to Cabrillo National Monument and 10K run in 1 hour, 43 minutes, 20 seconds.
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Lilly King, the indomitable swim heroine of the Rio Olympics, was having trouble with the aftermath.
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A man as much at home sharing a few beers, surfing or going for a swim with friends as with discussing the most difficult intellectual concepts.
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The pool will be open until 8 p.m., and reopen Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, lap swimming will be available from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., with free swim noon to 8 p.m. In between, park district camps will have use of the pool.
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Following the swim, racers bike 18.6 miles, beginning up a steep hill before riding through the streets of downtown Fairhope and miles of rolling countryside.
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Saturday Centennial Beach opens: Centennial Beach opens for the summer season with an open swim from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at 500 W. Jackson Ave.
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Learn-to-Swim classes include Parent and Tot (Ages 2-3), Preschool Aquatics (Ages 4-5), Levels 1-6 (Ages 6-18), and Adults.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swim.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of swim
1599
Recent Examples of swim from the Web
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Swim lessons will be held at either the Angelo Lamagna Activity Center Pool or at the JFK Middle School Pool, depending on your class.
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One daughter is at musical practice and the other at swim team practice.
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Swim lessons for all skill levels are offered through Broward County Parks at locations in C.B. Smith, Central Broward Regional and Topeekeegee Yugnee (T.Y.) parks during the summer.
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Victoria's Secret recently phased out its swimwear collection, but its Pink brand still sells swim styles.
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Victoria’s Secret recently phased out its swimwear collection, but its Pink brand still sells swim styles.
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On most days during the swim season, Austin Nguyen’s alarm goes off at 4:25 a.m.
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The swim team was especially fun but my kids also learned about team work and team spirit.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swim.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of swim
1924
SWIM Defined for English Language Learners
swim
playDefinition of swim for English Language Learners
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: to move through water by moving your arms and legs
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: to move through or across (an area of water) by swimming
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: to swim by using (a specified method)
swim
Definition of swim for English Language Learners
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: an act or period of swimming
SWIM Defined for Kids
Definition of swim for Students
swam
\ˈswam\;swum
\ˈswəm\;swimming
1 : to move through or in water by moving arms, legs, fins, or tail
2 : to cross by swimming He swam the river.
3 : to float on or in or be covered with or as if with a liquid The corn was swimming in butter.
4 : to be dizzy : move or seem to move in a dizzying way My head swam in the hot room.
swimmer
nounLearn More about swim
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See words that rhyme with swim Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for swim Spanish Central: Translation of swim Nglish: Translation of swim for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of swim for Arabic speakers
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