Swimming: English Vocabulary List

a swimming sport that combines elements of dance, gymnastics, and swimming in choreographed routines performed in water

"Artistic swimming was formerly called synchronized swimming."

"Artistic swimming was formerly called synchronized swimming and athletes perform choreographed routines in the water."

a race where swimmers can use any stroke style they prefer, typically the front crawl, known for its speed and efficiency

"Freestyle is the fastest swimming stroke."

"Freestyle is the fastest swimming stroke and the swimmer alternates arm strokes with a flutter kick."

the competitive swimming for athletes with physical disabilities

"Para swimming has multiple impairment classes."

"Para swimming has multiple impairment classes and swimmers with physical or visual disabilities compete in adapted events."

a swimming stroke performed on one's back, with backward arm movements and a flutter kick

"Backcrawl is performed on the back."

"Backcrawl is performed on the back and the swimmer uses an alternating arm stroke with a flutter kick."

a stroke where the swimmer lies on their back, using alternating arm movements and a flutter kick

"Backstroke starts in the water."

"Backstroke starts in the water and swimmers push off the wall facing away from the pool."

a fast stroke characterized by alternating arm movements and a flutter kick

"The crawl alternates the arms and flutters the legs."

"The crawl alternates the arms and flutters the legs and is the most efficient stroke for long distances."

a stroke where the swimmer moves both arms in a half-circle motion in front of the body while performing a frog-like kick

"Breaststroke uses a frog kick."

"Breaststroke uses a frog kick and the swimmer pulls both arms together in a heart shaped motion."

a basic stroke where the swimmer moves their hands and feet in a paddling motion similar to a dog's movement in the water

"The dog paddle is simple but slow."

"The dog paddle is simple but slow and children often learn this stroke when they first start swimming."

a stroke where the swimmer lies on their side, using a scissor kick and alternating arm movements to carry themselves through the water

"Sidestroke is used for lifeguarding."

"Sidestroke is used for lifeguarding and the swimmer lies on his side while scissor kicking."

a powerful swimming kick where both legs move simultaneously in a wave-like motion

"The dolphin kick undulates the whole body."

"The dolphin kick undulates the whole body and is used in butterfly and underwater swimming."

a rapid, alternating leg movement in swimming where the legs move up and down in a quick, continuous motion

"The flutter kick is used in freestyle and backstroke."

"The flutter kick is used in freestyle and backstroke and the legs move up and down alternately."

to move through water by moving parts of the body, typically arms and legs

"She swims every morning."

"The children love to swim in the lake during summer because the water is cool and clean."

a technique where a swimmer touches the wall, turns onto their back, and pushes off the wall using a flutter kick

"The open turn touches the wall with one hand."

"The open turn touches the wall with one hand and the swimmer turns toward the same arm."

a swimming technique designed for efficient and stealthy movement in water, commonly used in military operations

"Combat sidestroke is taught to Navy SEALs."

"Combat sidestroke is taught to Navy SEALs and conserves energy while keeping the swimmer low in the water."

a basic swimming stroke on the back using simple arm and leg movements

"Elementary backstroke uses a whip kick."

"Elementary backstroke uses a whip kick and the swimmer pulls both arms simultaneously while floating on his back."

a swimming stroke that is a combination of a flutter kick and a windmill-like arm motion

"Trudgen uses flutter kick, arms."

"The trudgen alternates a scissor kick and arm recovery and was a precursor to the modern front crawl."

a swimming technique for floating on your back and moving with minimal effort

"Survival backstroke saves energy for long periods."

"Survival backstroke saves energy for long periods and the swimmer stays on his back with minimal arm and leg movement."

a professional swimming organization featuring elite athletes competing in team-based events worldwide

"She joined the International Swimming League."

"The International Swimming League has many top swimmers from around the world."

the international governing body for aquatic sports, including swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming, and open water swimming

"World Aquatics governs international swimming."

"World Aquatics governs international swimming and sets rules for competitions including the Olympic Games."

a race where a swimmer competes in all four strokes in one continuous race

"Individual medley swims four strokes in order."

"Individual medley swims four strokes in order and the swimmer completes butterfly backstroke breaststroke and freestyle."

a type of swimming race where competitors swim four different strokes in a specific order

"Medley swimming combines different strokes."

"Medley swimming combines different strokes and a swim team uses four specialists for each leg."

a track or swimming relay race in which each team member competes in a different stroke

"The medley relay team has four swimmers."

"The medley relay team has four swimmers and each swims a different stroke in a specific order."