backstroke

noun

• a swimming stroke performed on the back with the arms lifted alternately out of the water in a backward circular motion and the legs extended and kicking:I concentrated on the backstroke most of the time [as modifier]:I won the backstroke and breaststroke events [as adverb]:they would swim freestyle and then backstroke
• (the backstroke) a race, typically of a specified length or kind, in which the backstroke style of swimming is used:he was fifth in the 200-meter backstroke