noun
    
    plural strokes
    
    [count] medical :a serious illness caused when a blood vessel in your brain suddenly breaks or is blocked
    
    
    
    
    
    [count] an act of hitting a ball or the movement made to hit a ball during a game
    
    
    
    
    
    b golf :an act of hitting the ball that is counted as part of a player's score
    
    
    
    [count] one of a series of repeated movements of your arms in swimming or rowing that you make to move yourself or the boat through the water
    
    
    
    
    
    a style of swimming
    
    
    
    [count] :one of a series of repeated movements by something that goes up and down or back and forth
    
    
    
    
    
    [count] :an act of hitting someone or something with a stick, whip, etc.
    
    
    
    [count] :a gentle movement of your hand over or along something
    
    
    
    [count] :a single act of moving a pen or brush when it is being used to write or paint
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    [count] :one of the sounds made by a clock or bell to indicate a particular time
    
    
    
    [singular] :an exact time
    
    
    
    [count] :a single decisive action
    
    
    
    
    
    [count] :something good, lucky, etc., that happens or is thought of suddenly - usually singular
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    [count] :a bright flash of lightning
    
    
    
    a stroke of work
    
    informal :any work at all
    
    
    
    put (someone) off their stroke
    
    Brit :to cause someone to hesitate or be confused
    
    
    
    verb
    
    strokes; stroked; stroking
    
    [+ obj] to move your hand over (someone or something) gently and in one direction
    
    
    
    always followed by an adverb or preposition
    
    to move (something) gently in one direction
    
    
    
    to hit or kick (a ball) with a smooth movement
    
    
    
    chiefly US informal :to say nice things to (someone) in order to get approval, agreement, etc.