synchronized swimming

American  

noun

1. a sport growing out of water ballet in which swimmers, in solo, duet, and team efforts, complete various required figures by performing motions in relatively stationary positions, along with a freestyle competition, with the contestants synchronizing movements to music and being judged for body position, control, and the degree of difficulty of the moves.

2. a swimming exercise or exhibition derived from the competitive sport.

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synchronized swimming British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: synchro.   synchro swimming.  the art or sport of one or more swimmers moving in patterns in the water in time to music

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Etymology

Origin of synchronized swimming

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Synchronized swimming began as "water acrobatics" at the turn of the 20th century, popularized by Australian swimmer and vaudeville star Annette Kellerman.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2016

Synchronized swimming became an Olympic sport in 1984, debuting in the 1988 Seoul Games and paving the way for the Aqualillies.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2016

Synchronized swimming, a class of elaborate strokes and stunts set to music, has become a favorite among Brooklyn hipsters, she said.

From Reuters • Jun. 9, 2014

Synchronized swimming was kind of a combination of dance and water.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 7, 2011

Synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics involve such copious amounts of cosmetics that they make a Texas beauty pageant look sedate.

From Time Magazine Archive