intransitive verb swam, swum, swimming swim′·ming

1. to move through water by movements of the arms and legs, or of flippers, fins, tail, etc.
2. to move with a smooth, gliding motion, as though swimming
3. to float on the surface of a liquid
4. to be covered or saturated with or as with a liquid
5. to overflow; be flooded eyes swimming with tears

Etymology: ME swimmen < OE swimman, akin to Ger schwimmen < IE base *swem-, to move vigorously, be in motion > Welsh chwyfio, to move

transitive verb

1. to move in or across (a body of water) by swimming
2. to cause to swim or float
3. to perform (a specified stroke) in swimming

noun

1. the act or motion of swimming
2. a period of swimming for sport a short swim before lunch
3. a distance swum or to be swum
4. swim bladder

adjective