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Swimming Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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swimming

[ˈswɪmɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

sport

The sport or activity of moving through water by moving your arms and legs.

Synonyms

bathing, diving, floating.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
swimming

Engaging in the activity of moving through water using limbs, usually for exercise, competition, or recreation.

  • She loves swimming in the pool every morning
  • The competition includes different styles of swimming like freestyle and butterfly
bathing

The act of washing oneself or soaking in water, usually in a bathtub; also refers to swimming leisurely in natural water bodies.

  • He enjoyed bathing in the warm sea during his vacation
  • She bathed her baby in the evening
diving

Jumping or plunging headfirst into water, often as a sport or recreational activity that can include underwater exploration.

  • He took diving lessons to explore the coral reefs
  • The competition also had a diving segment where athletes showed off their skills
floating

Resting or moving on the surface of water without making any significant effort to swim or move.

  • She lay floating on her back, looking up at the sky
  • The buoy kept floating on the surface of the water

Examples of usage

  • I love swimming in the ocean during the summer.
  • She has been practicing swimming for years.
Context #2 | Noun

general

The action or sport of swimming.

Synonyms

bathing, diving, floating.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
swimming

Swimming is best used when talking about moving through water for exercise, sport, or recreation.

  • She loves swimming in the pool every morning
  • The swimming competition will start at 10 AM
bathing

Bathing refers to washing oneself in water, typically in a bathtub, for hygiene. It can also mean soaking in water for relaxation.

  • The baby enjoys bathing before bed
  • She finds bathing with essential oils very relaxing
diving

Diving is used when someone jumps or plunges into water, often headfirst. It can also refer to underwater exploration or the sport of diving.

  • He took a deep breath before diving into the lake
  • Scuba diving in the coral reef was an unforgettable experience
floating

Floating is suitable for describing the act of resting or staying on the surface of the water without swimming.

  • She lay back and enjoyed floating on the calm sea
  • The leaf was floating gently down the stream

Examples of usage

  • His favorite activity is swimming in the pool.
  • I have a swimming competition next week.
Context #3 | Verb

action

To move through water by moving your arms and legs.

Synonyms

bathing, diving, floating.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
swimming

This word is appropriate for general activities in water including sports or recreational activities where one moves through water by making strokes with the arms and legs.

  • She enjoys swimming in the community pool every morning for exercise
bathing

This term is commonly used to describe washing oneself in water. It can also refer to relaxing or recreational activities in water, usually in a bathtub or shallow water.

  • He enjoys bathing in the hot tub after a long day at work
diving

This word is used when referring to jumping or plunging into water, often headfirst. It can also refer to underwater swimming typically involving specialized equipment.

  • She went diving in the coral reefs during her vacation and saw many colorful fish
floating

This word describes resting or staying on the surface of the water without sinking. It often involves little active movement.

  • They spent the afternoon floating on their backs in the lake, enjoying the sunshine

Examples of usage

  • He was swimming in the lake.
  • She loves swimming in the river.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word comes from the Old English 'swimman,' which meant to move through water.
  • Swimming as a practice can be traced back to ancient civilization, with cave paintings in the Stone Age showing people swimming.
  • The first recorded swimming competition took place in 1837 in London, marking the beginning of organized swimming events.

Health Benefits

  • Swimming is a full-body workout that helps build endurance, strength, and cardiovascular fitness.
  • It's often recommended for people with joint pain because it provides low-impact exercise.
  • Research shows that swimming can improve mood and mental health, acting as a natural stress reliever.

Pop Culture

  • The 1975 movie 'Jaws' made many people fear swimming in the ocean due to its depiction of sharks.
  • In competitive sports, swimming features events like freestyle, breaststroke, and butterfly, celebrated in the Olympics.
  • Mermaids and mermen are cultural symbols in many stories, often associated with swimming and the mysteries of the sea.

Science

  • Buoyancy is a key principle in swimming – it helps keep swimmers afloat, depending on their body composition.
  • The efficiency of different strokes in swimming involves physics, where streamlined positions reduce water resistance.
  • Aquatic locomotion is studied in biomechanics, revealing how different species swim efficiently, influencing swim techniques for humans.

Literature

  • Swimming is often a metaphor in literature, symbolizing freedom, adventure, or the exploration of one's emotions.
  • Famous works like T.S. Eliot's 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' reference swimming to illustrate complex feelings of self-doubt.
  • Children's books frequently depict swimming as a joyful, playful activity, capturing the wonder of water play.

Origin of 'swimming'

The word 'swimming' dates back to the 15th century and is derived from the Middle English word 'swimmen'. The concept of swimming has been recorded as far back as ancient times, with evidence of swimming as a competitive sport in ancient Egypt. Throughout history, swimming has evolved from a basic survival skill to a popular recreational activity and competitive sport enjoyed by people of all ages around the world.

See also: swim.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,590 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.