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
Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
And his brother, William, who taught me how to swim.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Even before the cause of Fox’s death was confirmed, the swim club began reassessing their tradition of swimming at Lovers Point.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
The big animals were still swimming as night fell and the hunters returned home.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
And his brother, William, who taught me how to swim.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
Cannellini beans are blended with sautéed kale, garlic, lemon, and a few other ingredients to make a creamy pesto-like sauce that the wide noodles take a swim in.
—Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Even before the cause of Fox’s death was confirmed, the swim club began reassessing their tradition of swimming at Lovers Point.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
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 18 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
