swimmer

noun

swim·​mer ˈswi-mər How to pronounce swimmer (audio)
plural swimmers
: a person or animal that swims
a competitive swimmer
a fast/strong swimmer
… he liked to tell us that he had been a powerful swimmer in his youth, but I never saw him in actual water save once, and he then came out very promptly, shivering and upset.—H. L. Mencken
a dog that is an excellent swimmer

Examples of swimmer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Diarrhea Once water has been contaminated by germs that cause contagious diarrhea, a swimmer only has to swallow a tiny amount to become infected. — Amanda MacMillan, Health, 30 July 2026 Shark sightings are becoming all too common on some New York City beaches, and the NYPD is turning to technology to help keep swimmers safe. — John Dias, CBS News, 30 July 2026 While good weather usually brings a surge in migrant crossings by sea in the summer, Ceuta authorities said the current number of swimmers is unusual. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 Not every dog is a natural swimmer Some dogs take to the water almost immediately, while others are better-suited to lounging on dry land. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for swimmer

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of swimmer was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing swimmer

Rhymes for swimmer

See All Rhymes for swimmer

Browse Nearby Words

swim meet
swimmer
swimmer's ear
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Cite this Entry

“Swimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swimmer. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on swimmer

Nglish: Translation of swimmer for Spanish Speakers

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