backswing

American

[bak-swing] / ˈbækˌswɪŋ /

noun

Sports.

the movement of a bat, racket, or the like, toward the back of a player in preparation for the forward movement with which the ball is struck.

Etymology

Origin of backswing

First recorded in 1895–1900; back ¹ ( def. ) + swing ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

backswing

They tend to start quietly—an elbow that aches after the range, a shoulder that nags during the backswing, a wrist that feels tired late in the round.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 6, 2026

Instead, using a silent camera with no motor to avoid disturbing Mr. Woods’s backswing, Mr. Vuich took a wide shot from a tower of his tee shot at the final hole, nearly surrounded by fans.

From New York Times ● Jan. 24, 2024

The top of a backswing makes some of the nicest shapes in golf photography.

From BBC ● Dec. 29, 2023

D-backs catcher Gabriel Moreno had to leave Wednesday’s win over the Brewers in the third inning after getting hit on the head by a backswing.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 6, 2023

Moreno’s status could be in question after he took a backswing to the head in Game 2 on Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023