sidestroke

[ sahyd-strohk ]

noun

1. a stroke in which the body is turned sideways in the water, the hands pull alternately, and the legs perform a scissors kick.

verb (used without object)

, side·stroked, side·strok·ing.

1. to swim the sidestroke.

sidestroke

/ ˈsaɪdˌstrəʊk /

noun

1. a type of swimming stroke in which the swimmer lies sideways in the water paddling with his arms and making a scissors kick with his legs

Word History and Origins

Origin of sidestroke¹

First recorded in 1750–60; side ¹ + stroke ¹

Example Sentences

But as he’s perfected what he calls a double-arm pull and a modified sidestroke, he’s toughened up all over.

From Washington Times

During these past several months, Teddy’s sidestroke performance makes me laugh several times daily.

From Washington Post

He was the lifeguard; she, the big-eyed beauty with long dark hair and a mean sidestroke.

From New York Times

First they raced freestyle, then backstroke, breaststroke, and sidestroke.

From Literature

He was summoned to see the president — not in the Oval Office, but in the White House swimming pool, where he found the commander in chief doing a leisurely sidestroke — naked.

From Washington Post