stroke

¹ American  

[strohk] / stroʊk /

noun

1. the act or an instance of striking, as with the fist, a weapon, or a hammer; a blow.

   Synonyms:

   pat, knock, tap, rap

2. a hitting of or upon anything.

3. a striking of a clapper or hammer, as on a bell.

4. the sound produced by this.

5. a throb or pulsation, as of the heart.

   Synonyms:

   rhythm, thrum, beat

6. Also called apoplexy, cerebrovascular accident.  Pathology. a blockage or hemorrhage of a blood vessel leading to the brain, causing inadequate oxygen supply and, depending on the extent and location of the abnormality, such symptoms as weakness, paralysis of parts of the body, speech difficulties, and, if severe, loss of consciousness or death.

7. something likened to a blow in its effect, as in causing pain, injury, or death; an attack of apoplexy or paralysis.

8. a destructive discharge of lightning.

9. a vigorous movement, as if in dealing a blow.

10. Sports. a hitting of a ball, as by the swing of a racquet in tennis or the controlled jabbing or thrusting with the cue in pool and billiards.

11. a single complete movement, especially one continuously repeated in some process.

12. Machinery.

    1. one of a series of alternating continuous movements of something back and forth over or through the same line.

    2. the complete movement of a moving part, especially a reciprocating part, in one direction.

    3. the distance traversed in such a movement.

    4. a half revolution of an engine during which the piston travels from one extreme of its range to the other.

13. Swimming.

    1. a type or method of swimming.

       The crawl is a rapid stroke.

    2. each of the successive movements of the arms and legs in propelling the body through the water.

14. Rowing.

    1. a single pull of the oar.

    2. the manner or style of moving the oars.

    3. Also called stroke oar.  the crew member nearest to the stern of the boat, to whose strokes those of the other crew members must conform.

15. a movement of a pen, pencil, brush, graver, or the like.

16. a mark traced by or as if by one movement of a pen, pencil, brush, or the like.

17. Chiefly British. virgule.

18. a distinctive or effective touch in a literary composition.

    His style revealed the stroke of a master.

19. a single or minimal act, piece, or amount of work, activity, etc..

    to refuse to do a stroke of work.

20. an attempt to attain some object.

    a bold stroke for liberty.

21. a measure adopted for a particular purpose.

22. a keystroke.

    no more than 65 strokes to the line for business letters.

23. a feat or achievement.

    a stroke of genius.

24. a sudden or chance happening, as of luck or fortune.

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verb (used with object)

stroked, stroking

1. to mark with a stroke or strokes, as of a pen; cancel, as by a stroke of a pen.

2. Rowing.

   1. to row as a stroke oar of (a boat or crew).

   2. to set the stroke for the crew of (a boat).

3. Sports. to hit (a ball), as with a deliberate, smooth swing of a bat or club.

stroke ² American  

[strohk] / stroʊk /

verb (used with object)

stroked, stroking

1. to pass the hand or an instrument over (something or somebody) lightly or with little pressure; rub gently, as in soothing or caressing.

   Synonyms:

   pet, caress

2. Informal. to promote feelings of self-approval in; flatter.

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noun

1. an act or instance of stroking; a stroking movement; caress.

stroke British  

/ strəʊk /

noun

1. the act or an instance of striking; a blow, knock, or hit

2. a sudden action, movement, or occurrence

   a stroke of luck

3. a brilliant or inspired act or feat

   a stroke of genius

4. pathol apoplexy; rupture of a blood vessel in the brain resulting in loss of consciousness, often followed by paralysis, or embolism or thrombosis affecting a cerebral vessel

5. 1. the striking of a clock

   2. the hour registered by the striking of a clock

      on the stroke of three

6. a mark, flourish, or line made by a writing implement

7. another name for solidus, used esp when dictating or reading aloud

8. a light touch or caress, as with the fingers

9. a pulsation, esp of the heart

10. a single complete movement or one of a series of complete movements

11. sport the act or manner of striking the ball with a racket, club, bat, etc

12. any one of the repeated movements used by a swimmer to propel himself through the water

13. a manner of swimming, esp one of several named styles such as the crawl or butterfly

14. 1. any one of a series of linear movements of a reciprocating part, such as a piston

    2. the distance travelled by such a part from one end of its movement to the other

15. a single pull on an oar or oars in rowing

16. manner or style of rowing

17. the oarsman who sits nearest the stern of a shell, facing the cox, and sets the rate of striking for the rest of the crew

18. informal a compliment or comment that enhances a person's self-esteem

19. slang (modifier) pornographic; masturbatory

    stroke magazines

20. (usually used with a negative) a small amount of work

21. performing or working less well than usual

22. punctually at

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verb

1. (tr) to touch, brush, or caress lightly or gently

2. (tr) to mark a line or a stroke on or through

3. to act as the stroke of (a racing shell)

4. (tr) sport to strike (a ball) with a smooth swinging blow

5. informal (tr) to handle or influence (someone) with care, using persuasion, flattery, etc

stroke Scientific  

/ strōk /

1. A sudden loss of brain function caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel of the brain, resulting in necrosis of brain tissue (called a cerebral infarct) and characterized by loss of muscular control, weakening or loss of sensation or consciousness, dizziness, slurred speech, or other symptoms that vary with the extent and severity of brain damage.

2. Also called cerebrovascular accident

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stroke Cultural  

1. A sudden loss of brain function caused by an interruption in the supply of blood to the brain. A ruptured blood vessel or cerebral thrombosis may cause the stroke, which can occur in varying degrees of severity from temporary paralysis and slurred speech to permanent brain damage and death.

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stroke Idioms  

1. see at one stroke; no accounting for taste (different strokes for different folks); put one off one's stride (stroke).

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Related Words

See blow ¹.

Etymology

Origin of stroke¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun strok(e), stroc, strocke, strak(e), probably continuing unattested Old English strāc (whence strācian ”to stroke”); cognate with German Streich; akin to strike; stroke ²

Origin of stroke²

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb stroke(n), strake, Old English strācian; cognate with German streichen; akin to strike

Explanation

It's a stroke of luck, or chance event, to find a terrific parking space on a rainy day, but no one feels lucky when their grandfather has a stroke, a sudden debilitating loss of oxygen to the brain. Stroke is a high value word — many meanings, yet rarely misunderstood in context. You can swim a certain stroke (or just doggie paddle), you can stroke a cat's fur, you can figuratively stroke your boss's ego by flattering him, or you can have a stroke of brilliance and solve world hunger. Hopefully you won't suffer a stroke and need hospitalization. Its origin as a medical term goes back to the 1500s when it was shortened from "the Stroke of God's Hand."

Example Sentences

Eamonn Holmes's son has said his father is "doing OK" after having a stroke.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

The family began exploring options for a sale in late 2024, right after the founder, now 97, suffered a stroke.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

The word “Coachella” is placed in free-flowing sprawl across the top, punctuated with a forest green gradient and bright orange stroke.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

But as losses piled up, his confidence and his shooting stroke disappeared.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

“If you stroke my forehead, maybe I can fall asleep. And wake me the moment your baba returns.”

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

Related Words

• brush
• caress
• rub