swim

verb \ ˈswim \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Examples: swim in a Sentence

Definition of swim

swam play \ˈswam\; swum play \ˈswəm\; swimming

intransitive verb

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

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

1 a : to cross by propelling oneself through water

swim a stream

b : to execute in swimming

2 : to cause to swim or float

—

swimmer

noun

See swim defined for English-language learners

See swim defined for kids

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

With plenty of places to hike, fish and swim along the way, there isn’t a shortage of things to do.

— travel wisconsin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Solo trips to recharge in Wisconsin," 10 June 2018
Deland plays with it in a manner not dissimilar to Lana Del Rey, teasing at the darkness beneath, sometimes swimming on the surface of it, but never quite immersing or losing herself.

— refinery29.com, "New Music To Know: The Internet's Summer Jam, Tove Lo Gets Cheeky & More," 8 June 2018
Our e-comm and social media has been really strong in California and our focus on surf/swim naturally fits with Newport’s vibe.

— jessica peralta, latimes.com, "Surf-leisure designer Cynthia Rowley opens second California boutique in Newport Beach," 7 June 2018
But swimming against the strong current of marketing by the vitamin and supplement industries is a Herculean task.

— ronald s. litman, Philly.com, "New study on supplemental vitamins proves they're useless and a waste of money," 5 June 2018
The Department has a wide variety of programs this summer that range from classes for preschool, youth, teen and adults, special events, swim lessons, open swim, sports camps, drop in programs and more.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Enfield Edition," 5 June 2018
In the Pacific, the biggest accumulation of plastic smog is about the size of Germany, France, and Britain combined and Lecomte will swim right through it.

— rick noack, BostonGlobe.com, "Swimmer crosses Pacific to fight pollution," 5 June 2018
The analysis suggests that L. problematicus likely swam at a zippy speed of 11 miles per hour, while still maintaining adequate amounts of oxygen throughout its tissues.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "Why Did Most Massive Bony Fish Behemoths Die Out?," 4 June 2018
The course length was catered to each age group, with the 11- and 12-year-olds swimming 100 yards, biking two miles, with a mile dash to the finish line.

— lindsey salvatelli, Lake County News-Sun, "Vernon Hills triathlon geared toward children," 3 June 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

swim Synonyms

swim

noun

Definition of swim

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

See swim defined for English-language learners

Examples of swim in a Sentence

the merest glimpse of blood sends him into a swim

Recent Examples of swim from the Web

More recently, the burkini, a modest swim garment, was banned from French beaches.

— rafia zakaria, The New Republic, "The Feminist Future of Modesty," 12 June 2018
Every guest room has a balcony view of the Gulf, and the pool, with rentable cabanas, has a swim-up bar.

— joy sewing, San Antonio Express-News, "Weekend getaway: Your guide to all things Galveston," 11 June 2018
The backyard is primed for entertaining, with a resort-style pool with a lazy river and a swim-up bar.

— lorraine longhi, azcentral, "Luxury homes: Former NFL player sells $10.3M Scottsdale mansion with lazy river," 4 June 2018
Woman jailed for trying to help at resortMelva Atayde describes how she was thrown in jail in Mexico after trying to help a young woman who appeared to be drugged after drinking alcohol from a swim-up bar at an all-inclusive resort.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Mexico resort blackouts investigation - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel," 15 May 2018
There's a swim-up bar and in-water mask bar (the silica mask is complimentary; lava scrub and algae mask cost extra).

— susan glaser, cleveland.com, "Iceland Travel Blog: Warming up in Blue Lagoon, plus tips on saving money, driving," 14 May 2018
The resort's seasonal Dream Pool has a lazy river, large splash pads for kids, several slides and a swim-up bar.

— jody schmal, Houston Chronicle, "Where to stay and play in Lake Charles," 10 May 2018
Outside, there’s a water park with slides, a swim-up bar and a Flowrider machine.

— alisha prakash, USA TODAY, "10 Caribbean resorts with awesome water parks," 2 May 2018
The Dive features three pools, a swim-up bar and lazy river.

— michele parente, sandiegouniontribune.com, "What you need to know about the 10 San Diego-area casinos," 29 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of swim

1599

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

swim Synonyms

Synonyms

blackout, faint, insensibility, knockout, swoon, syncope;

Related Words

daze, stupor, trance;

drowsiness, narcosis, sleep, somnolence;

swim

adjective

Definition of swim

: of, relating to, or used in or for swimming

Recent Examples of swim from the Web

Most pools will be checked at least once or twice each swim season.

— anna douglas and rachel jones, charlotteobserver, "Before you jump in, do you know how clean your Charlotte-area pool is?," 5 June 2018
This month, swim season will get underway as pools open in many Houston area communities.

— Houston Chronicle, "Elyson House and Elyson Café add new amenities and offerings for summer," 13 May 2018
Nicholas Dworet, 17, was looking forward to starting college and joining the swim team at the University of Indianapolis this fall.

— carrie blackmore smith, Cincinnati.com, "'We are doing holes in these rifles before the rifles make holes in us'," 22 Mar. 2018
Drummer Daniel Platzman was wearing a Marc-Andre Fleury jersey draped somewhat strangely over his shoulders, and these bizarre sunglasses—that might’ve been tinted swim goggles—strapped to his head.

— charlotte wilder, SI.com, "Imagine Dragons Fires Up Hometown Crowd Before Game 2 of Stanley Cup Final," 31 May 2018
Similarly, men’s swim trunks are also offered with the same design, with the president’s tagline printed vertically with red stripes.

— janine puhak, Fox News, "Lara Trump sports MAGA swimsuit for Memorial Day weekend," 28 May 2018
Events for more active adults are planned for 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Hearthstone Lodge Fitness Facility, 7305 Lanier Drive, with games in the great room, staffing at outdoor fitness machines and open swim events in the pool.

— david ibata, ajc, "Forsyth plans events for Senior Fitness Day," 25 May 2018
The event will feature free swim lessons and water safety skills for children ages 3 and up between 10 a.m. and noon at Cinco Ranch High School Natatorium, 23440 Cinco Ranch Blvd.

— staff report, Houston Chronicle, "Katy Aquatics, TCH West Campus host free water safety event," 11 May 2018
Indoors, guests enjoy complete fitness with cardio and Nautilus equipment (with flat-screen monitors) and an eight-person swim spa.

— amy aumick, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Taylor County: Find a home away from home in scallop country," 6 May 2018

First Known Use of swim

1924

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SWIM Defined for English Language Learners

swim

verb

Definition of swim for English Language Learners

: to move through water by moving your arms and legs
: to move through or across (an area of water) by swimming
: to swim by using (a specified method)

swim

noun

Definition of swim for English Language Learners

: an act or period of swimming

SWIM Defined for Kids

swim

verb \ ˈswim \

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

noun

swim

noun

Definition of swim for Students

: an act or period of swimming

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swim

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swimmer

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swim

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swim Synonyms

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swim

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swim

Definition of swim for English Language Learners

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