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# natation

noun (natation — uncountable; formal or French)

«natation» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (formal, rare) Natation is the act or art of swimming. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/natation/#m1)
2. (French) «La natation» is the ordinary French word for swimming as a sport or school subject; said «nah-tah-SYON» to an English ear. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/natation/#m2)

### In the lessons

In English, natation is a very rare, old, formal word, so you will mostly meet it in French lessons and on signs in French-speaking places like France, Quebec or Belgium: «piscine» (pool), «cours de natation» (swimming lessons). In science, «natatorial» describes animals that swim. Common phrases: «la natation», «cours de natation», «natation synchronisée».

### Examples

- In French, «la natation» means swimming. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/natation/#x1)
- My cousin in Quebec has «cours de natation» every Saturday. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/natation/#x2)
- Natation is a fancy old English word for swimming. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/natation/#x3)
- The sign at the French campsite said «Natation interdite» — no swimming. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/natation/#x4)
- Our French teacher asked, «Tu aimes la natation?». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/natation/#x5)
- The old book described natation as a healthy exercise. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/natation/#x6)

### Note

In everyday English, say «swimming», not «natation». In French it is feminine: «la natation». Related English words: «natatorium» (US: indoor swimming pool).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «natation» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/natation/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«natation» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/natation.html) on Mova free.