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

See Examples For:

individual medley

The schoolgirl was named a Games MVP on Sunday to cap an extraordinary showing that saw her scorch to gold in the 200m butterfly and do the 200m-400m individual medley double.

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

GB's Amalie Smith picked up a silver medal in the 400m individual medley final, finishing 0.7secs behind Ireland's Ellen Walshe, with Poland's Justina Kozan claiming bronze.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 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