individual medley

American  

noun

Swimming.

1. a race in which the total distance is either divided into three equal portions, in which each swimmer uses the backstroke for the first portion, the breaststroke for the second portion, and the freestyle for the third, or the total distance is divided into four equal portions, in which each swimmer uses the butterfly stroke for the first portion and then the other strokes used follow the same pattern as in the three-part medley.

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Etymology

Origin of individual medley

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Marchand, now training in Austin with former Michael Phelps coach Bob Bowman, added the victory to the 200m and 400m individual medley titles he captured earlier this week.

From Barron's • Jan. 18, 2026

Olympic swim stars Summer McIntosh and Leon Marchand cruised to 200m individual medley victories as US great Katie Ledecky impressed again on the second day of the Pro Swim Series in Austin, Texas, on Thursday.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

In May, Yu set a world record for a 12-year-old in the 200m individual medley with a time of 2:10.63, leading World Aquatics to label her a "sensation" on social media.

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2025

On Monday night, Summer McIntosh won the 200-meter individual medley at the 2025 Canadian swimming trials to set her second world record in just three days.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2025

Toni Shaw finished second in her SM9 200m individual medley heat to qualify for the final at 17:55.

From BBC • Sep. 5, 2024