backstroke

[ bak-strohk ]
/ ˈbækˌstroʊk /

noun

a backhanded stroke.
Swimming. a stroke made while on one's back.
a blow or stroke in return; recoil.

verb (used without object), back·stroked, back·strok·ing.

Swimming. to swim the backstroke: She backstroked across the pool.

Origin of backstroke

First recorded in 1665–75; back2 + stroke1

Example sentences from the Web for backstroke

British Dictionary definitions for backstroke

backstroke
/ (ˈbækˌstrəʊk) /

noun

Also called: back crawl swimming
  1. a stroke performed on the back, using backward circular strokes of each arm alternately and flipper movements of the feet
  2. (as modifier)the backstroke champion
a return stroke or blow
mainly US a backhanded stroke
bell-ringing the upward movement of the bell rope as the bell swings back and forth Compare handstroke

verb

(intr) to swim the backstroke