backstroke

UK: /ˈbækstrəʊk/ US: /ˈbækˌstroʊk/ ,(bak′strōk′)

Inflections of 'backstroke' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

backstrokes

v 3rd person singular

backstroking

v pres p

backstroked

v past

backstroked

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

back•stroke /ˈbækˌstroʊk/  n. 

1. [countable] a backhanded stroke.
2. Sport [uncountable] a swimming stroke performed lying on one's back.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

back•stroke  (bak′strōk′), n., v., -stroked, -strok•ing. 
n. 

1. a backhanded stroke.
2. Sport [Swimming.] a stroke made while on one's back.
3. a blow or stroke in return;
   recoil.

v.i. 

4. Sport [Swimming.] to swim the backstroke:
   She backstroked across the pool.

• back² + stroke¹ 1665–75

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

backstroke / ˈbækˌstrəʊk/ noun

1. Also called: back crawl a stroke performed on the back, using backward circular strokes of each arm alternately and flipper movements of the feet