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
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
Before the beach was reopened for swimming on Thursday, park police and staff again used drones to identify marine life in the area while lifeguards patrolled from the shore and by watercraft, according to the statement.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 June 2025
Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2025
The swim starts at Scripps Pier in La Jolla Shores and ends at La Jolla Cove.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
SELF, 5 Aug. 2024
From fit, lining, waistband, fabric, and occasion, board shorts actually differ from swim trunks in many ways.
—Maverick Li, menshealth.com, 5 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for swim
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
That's where sharks prey naturally, and humans swimming there could get caught in the mix.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
Before the beach was reopened for swimming on Thursday, park police and staff again used drones to identify marine life in the area while lifeguards patrolled from the shore and by watercraft, according to the statement.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 June 2025
Noun
Nearby: Try Jumping Off Rock overlook for a panoramic view of the lake before your swim.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2025
The swim starts at Scripps Pier in La Jolla Shores and ends at La Jolla Cove.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
Adjective
Team Great Britain also mentioned their triathletes would be thoroughly scrubbed down with disinfectant after swimming, another strategy Dr. Sullivan greenlights—and the sooner post-swim, the better.
—SELF, 5 Aug. 2024
From fit, lining, waistband, fabric, and occasion, board shorts actually differ from swim trunks in many ways.
—Maverick Li, menshealth.com, 5 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for swim
Cite this Entry
“Swim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swim. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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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