individual medley

noun

, Swimming.

1. a race in which the total distance is either divided into three equal portions, in which each swimmer uses the backstroke for the first portion, the breaststroke for the second portion, and the freestyle for the third, or the total distance is divided into four equal portions, in which each swimmer uses the butterfly stroke for the first portion and then the other strokes used follow the same pattern as in the three-part medley. Compare medley relay ( def 2 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of individual medley¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Elsewhere on Saturday, Faye Rogers finished fourth in the women's 200m SM10 individual medley.

From BBC

Maskill also won silver in both the 200m freestyle S14 and the 200m individual medley S14.

From BBC

Toni Shaw finished second in her SM9 200m individual medley heat to qualify for the final at 17:55.

From BBC

The trio of Rhys Darbey, William Ellard and Cameron Vearncombe are all in the men's SM14 200m individual medley final after finishing among the top six in qualifying.

From BBC

Meanwhile, twins Eliza and Scarlett Humphrey will race each other for the second time in the Games after reaching the final of the women's SM11 200m individual medley.

From BBC