breaststroke

American  

[brest-strohk, bres-] / ˈbrɛstˌstroʊk, ˈbrɛs- /

noun

1. Swimming. a stroke made in the prone position, in which both hands move simultaneously forward, outward, and rearward from in front of the chest while the legs move in a frog kick.

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verb (used without object)

breaststroked, breaststroking

1. to swim using the breaststroke.

breaststroke British  

/ ˈbrɛstˌstrəʊk /

noun

1. a swimming stroke in which the arms are extended in front of the head and swept back on either side while the legs are drawn up beneath the body and thrust back together

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Other Word Forms

• breaststroker noun

Etymology

Origin of breaststroke

First recorded in 1865–70; breast + stroke ¹

Explanation

The breaststroke is a swimming style that doesn't require you to turn your head or upper body. When you swim the breaststroke, your arms and legs make frog-like movements through the water. Many recreational swimmers use the breaststroke, which keeps you on your chest, popping your head straight up to take a breath between strokes. It's also the slowest competitive swimming stroke, but it still requires powerfully strong shoulders and arms. The frog kick part of the breaststroke propels you forward under water, and the arm movement happens as you come up for air.

Example Sentences

The complaint was dismissed and the teenager went on to win gold in the 200-meter breaststroke.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

Marchand, who counted the 200m breaststroke among his four gold medals at the Paris Olympics, was third at the 100m mark.

From Barron's • Jan. 18, 2026

She is the youngest medallist at a major international competition since Denmark's Inge Sorensen won a bronze medal in the 200m breaststroke at the 1936 Olympics, less than a month after her 12th birthday.

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2025

"It was utter shock," says Goodburn, who reached the semi-finals of the 50m and the 100m breaststroke at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2025

She slips through my grasp and breaks into a breaststroke, clean and strong.

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven