synchronized swimming

American  

noun

1. a sport growing out of water ballet in which swimmers, in solo, duet, and team efforts, complete various required figures by performing motions in relatively stationary positions, along with a freestyle competition, with the contestants synchronizing movements to music and being judged for body position, control, and the degree of difficulty of the moves.

2. a swimming exercise or exhibition derived from the competitive sport.

---

synchronized swimming British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: synchro.   synchro swimming.  the art or sport of one or more swimmers moving in patterns in the water in time to music

---

Etymology

Origin of synchronized swimming

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Synchronized swimming has long been lampooned, but artistic swimmers argue it requires great stamina, endurance and strength to win gold.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 10, 2022

Synchronized swimming became an Olympic sport in 1984, debuting in the 1988 Seoul Games and paving the way for the Aqualillies.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2016

Synchronized swimming, a class of elaborate strokes and stunts set to music, has become a favorite among Brooklyn hipsters, she said.

From Reuters • Jun. 9, 2014

Synchronized swimming was kind of a combination of dance and water.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 7, 2011

Synchronized swimming sounds like something Esther Williams might like to dabble in, but it is an exacting athletic skill, and the swimmers had been practicing this particular ballet for months.

From Time Magazine Archive