sidestroke

American  

[sahyd-strohk] / ˈsaɪdˌstroʊk /

noun

1. a stroke in which the body is turned sideways in the water, the hands pull alternately, and the legs perform a scissors kick.

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verb (used without object)

sidestroked, sidestroking

1. to swim the sidestroke.

sidestroke British  

/ ˈsaɪdˌstrəʊk /

noun

1. a type of swimming stroke in which the swimmer lies sideways in the water paddling with his arms and making a scissors kick with his legs

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Etymology

Origin of sidestroke

First recorded in 1750–60; side ¹ + stroke ¹

Example Sentences

But as he’s perfected what he calls a double-arm pull and a modified sidestroke, he’s toughened up all over.

From Washington Times

During these past several months, Teddy’s sidestroke performance makes me laugh several times daily.

From Washington Post

He was the lifeguard; she, the big-eyed beauty with long dark hair and a mean sidestroke.

From New York Times

First they raced freestyle, then backstroke, breaststroke, and sidestroke.

From Literature

I ’spected Lizabeth to tell me to get right on out her house, but then she said something that made the world turn backwards and do the sidestroke.

From Literature