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
Mike Kaye
december 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 Dec. 2025
Then comes Saturn in Pisces — the taskmaster planet has been swimming through a sea of emotion, intuition and spiritual surrender since 2023.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025
Npr Staff, NPR, 18 Dec. 2025
Ocean Allure Costa Mujeres has 16 restaurants and bars, two pools, swim-up suites, a lazy river, sports courts, and access to a white-sand beach.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2025
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
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Verb
The 24-year-old quarterback learned that lesson while swimming in the successful waters with the Crimson Tide during his three-year college career.
—Mike Kaye
december 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 Dec. 2025
Then comes Saturn in Pisces — the taskmaster planet has been swimming through a sea of emotion, intuition and spiritual surrender since 2023.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025
Noun
The best thing about it is that a little way in, the walk becomes a wade — or a swim — through the river that runs through the canyon.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 18 Dec. 2025
Ocean Allure Costa Mujeres has 16 restaurants and bars, two pools, swim-up suites, a lazy river, sports courts, and access to a white-sand beach.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
One of the most extraordinary findings is the section of swim trackways – the highest number documented to date.
—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 20 Dec. 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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