swim

1 of 3

verb

swam ˈswam How to pronounce swim (audio) ; swum ˈswəm How to pronounce swim (audio) ; 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 perishDaniel 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

swim

2 of 3

noun

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

swim

3 of 3

adjective

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

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
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 Center for Disease Control and Prevention said those with health problems or taking medicines that affect their ability to fight germs should check with their healthcare provider before swimming in the ocean or other natural bodies of water. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 Nearly every water excursion imaginable (snorkeling, boating, fishing, scalloping, kayaking, and swimming with manatees) is available for embarkation directly from the resort. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
On July 27, Genevieve Gallagher, 49, of Pensacola, went for a swim with her 7-year-old daughter, Mila, in Santa Rosa Sound off Pensacola Beach, per the Pensacola News Journal newspaper. Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025 Outfitters like River Ventures and Crystal River Watersports offer 3-hour swim with manatee tours starting at just $65. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Sheer ready-to-wear continues to have significant momentum in the swim and resortwear spaces — perfect for end-of-summer European holidays. Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 9 Aug. 2025 Really, all the dogs want to do is swim in the pool. Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swim

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English swimmen, from Old English swimman; akin to Old High German swimman to swim

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of swim was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swim. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

swim

1 of 2 verb
swam ˈswam How to pronounce swim (audio) ; swum ˈswəm How to pronounce swim (audio) ; swimming
1
: to move through water by moving arms, legs, fins, or tail
2
: to float on or in or be covered with or as if with a liquid
3
: to feel dizzy
my head swam in the stuffy room
4
: to cross by swimming
swim a stream
swimmer noun

swim

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act or period of swimming
2
: the main current of activity
in the swim of things

More from Merriam-Webster on swim

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