backswing

American  

[bak-swing] / ˈbækˌswɪŋ /

noun

Sports.

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of backswing

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

Example Sentences

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

Before Thursday’s start in the United Arab Emirates, his first tournament since last month’s Alfred Dunhill Championship, he revealed that he has spent the period in a studio working on his backswing.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2024

Being “young and foolish,” he never got the knee fixed until eight years later when it locked up on a backswing playing golf.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2024

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

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