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
nounRead the Latest from 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.
Origin and Etymology of swim
Middle English swimmen, from Old English swimman; akin to Old High German swimman to swim
First Known Use: before 12th century
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
1599
First Known Use of swim
1599
1924
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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