backstroke

American  

[bak-strohk] / ˈbækˌstroʊk /

noun

1. a backhanded stroke.

2. Swimming. a stroke made while on one's back.

3. a blow or stroke in return; recoil.

---

verb (used without object)

backstroked, backstroking

1. Swimming. to swim the backstroke.

   She backstroked across the pool.

backstroke British  

/ ˈbækˌstrəʊk /

noun

1. Also called: back crawl.  swimming

   1. a stroke performed on the back, using backward circular strokes of each arm alternately and flipper movements of the feet

   2. ( as modifier )

      the backstroke champion

2. a return stroke or blow

3. a backhanded stroke

4. Leisure:Bell-ringing the upward movement of the bell rope as the bell swings back and forth Compare handstroke

---

verb

1. (intr) to swim the backstroke

Etymology

Origin of backstroke

First recorded in 1665–75; back ² + stroke ¹

Explanation

When you swim the backstroke, you lie on your back in the water and move your arms up and back over your head while you kick your feet. It's hard to see where you're going when you do the backstroke. If you swim competitively on a swim team, the backstroke is one of the four official strokes for racing. Some swimmers prefer the backstroke because it's easier to breathe than when you swim face-down, though it's harder to tell how close you are to the pool wall. You can also use backstroke as a verb: "I'll just backstroke over to the shallow end and say hi to my friend."

Example Sentences

She returned to win the 50m backstroke in 27.67, her third gold of the meeting.

From Barron's • Jan. 18, 2026

Marchand returned to tackle a less familiar event, clocking 1:57.90 to finish second in the 200m backstroke won by compatriot Yohann Ndoye Brouard in 1:56.68.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

Olympic 200m back gold medallist Kos, who set a 200m backstroke world record two days earlier, broke the previous short course world record of 48.33sec set by American Coleman Stewart in 2021.

From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025

Also contributing to the boys’ win was senior Jean Darbo, who took first in the 100 backstroke in 51.91.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2025

Dinitia and I stayed in the pool all morning, splashing, practicing the backstroke and the butterfly.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls