Meaning & use

sidestroke

noun·Academic

A swimming stroke performed lying on one side, combining a scissor kick with alternating arm strokes.

See it in a sentence

Lifeguards often use the sidestroke because it lets them keep a swimmer's head above water.

She switched to the sidestroke to rest her arms during the long swim.

A note on using this word

Valued for being efficient and low-effort compared with strokes like freestyle or butterfly.

Words with a similar meaning

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