- past tense form of swim.
swam
Americanverb
verb
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Most swam around a border fence and at least 100 people died during the crossing, according to figures from Ceuta's mayor.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
The underwater vehicle was coasting about six feet above the ocean floor, two miles deep, when a pinkish, mysterious creature swam into its camera’s sights, drawing gasps in the research vessel floating at the surface.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026
He joined some 72,000 people who climbed over fences and swam around a breakwater to get into Ceuta, spreading panic in the tiny territory and exposing the vulnerability of Spain’s border with Morocco.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
At least 78 people died on the Spanish side of the frontier during the main rush as migrants swam into Ceuta, according to Spain's government.
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
Nameless things brushed Rowan's feet and legs as he swam.
From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.