breaststroke

American  

[brest-strohk, bres-] / ˈbrɛstˌstroʊk, ˈbrɛs- /

noun

1. Swimming. a stroke made in the prone position, in which both hands move simultaneously forward, outward, and rearward from in front of the chest while the legs move in a frog kick.

---

verb (used without object)

breaststroked, breaststroking

1. to swim using the breaststroke.

breaststroke British  

/ ˈbrɛstˌstrəʊk /

noun

1. a swimming stroke in which the arms are extended in front of the head and swept back on either side while the legs are drawn up beneath the body and thrust back together

---

Other Word Forms

• breaststroker noun

Etymology

Origin of breaststroke

First recorded in 1865–70; breast + stroke ¹

Explanation

The breaststroke is a swimming style that doesn't require you to turn your head or upper body. When you swim the breaststroke, your arms and legs make frog-like movements through the water. Many recreational swimmers use the breaststroke, which keeps you on your chest, popping your head straight up to take a breath between strokes. It's also the slowest competitive swimming stroke, but it still requires powerfully strong shoulders and arms. The frog kick part of the breaststroke propels you forward under water, and the arm movement happens as you come up for air.

Example Sentences

The complaint was dismissed and the teenager went on to win gold in the 200-meter breaststroke.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

Caspar Corbeau of the Netherlands won the men's 200m breaststroke, holding off a late charge from French star Leon Marchand to win in 2:01.63.

From Barron's • Oct. 12, 2025

"It was utter shock," says Goodburn, who reached the semi-finals of the 50m and the 100m breaststroke at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2025

The Scottish 50m breaststroke record holder was dreaming of the Paris Olympics but his training had been hindered by some unusual factors.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2025

He alternated between doing the crawl, which was fastest, and the breaststroke, which was slower but allowed him to see where he was going and to see what else was floating toward him.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret