Standard Lemma guide

downstroke

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /ˈdaʊnˌstɹoʊk/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A downward stroke, especially one that is part of a sequence of alternating upward and downward strokes.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 1997, Ted Hughes, Tales from Ovid, London: Faber & Faber, "Erisychthon," lines 41-6, p. 86, He snatches an axe—and hauls / The weight of the broad head up and back. / But in that moment, as the blade hangs / Poised for the first downstroke, shudderings / Swarm through the whole tree, to its outermost twigs / And a groan bursts out of the deep grain.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a stroke normally made in a downward direction

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: stroke

History

Etymology

From down + stroke.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Spanish: pedalada hacia abajo — Translations