natation

American  

[nay-tay-shuhn, na-] / neɪˈteɪ ʃən, næ- /

noun

1. an act or the skill of swimming.

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natation British  

/ nəˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. a formal or literary word for swimming See swimming

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Other Word Forms

• natational
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of natation

1535–45; < Latin natātiōn- (stem of natātiō ), equivalent to natāt ( us ) (past participle of natāre to swim) + -iōn- -ion

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Explanation

Is your favorite activity at summer camp archery, arts and crafts, or natation? Natation simply means "the act of swimming." If you want to get really fancy, use this word in its two adjective forms: invite friends to swim in your pool by suggesting a "natatorial adventure"? Or refer to your bathing suit as "natatory attire." Although it sounds academic, natation is the simple act of swimming or floating.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

natation

Hit this north Scottsdale natation nirvana that features two heated 25-meter pools boasting approximately 20 lanes.

From Newsweek

"A poor country for the land-owners!" said Joe, once more vigorously resorting to his skill in the art of natation.

From Five Weeks in a Balloon by Jules Verne

Never, I think, did any swimmer in like circumstances perform such a remarkable feat of natation.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 152, January 24, 1917 by Various

Indeed one of these was in flood, and they never could have crossed it had it not been for Otter's powers of natation.

From The People of the Mist by Henry Rider Haggard

The bay at Skelwick was so dangerous that Father would not allow any of them to bathe there, so as yet she had had no chance of testing her skill in natation.

From The Youngest Girl in the Fifth A School Story by Stanley Davis

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