tumbling

1 of 2

noun

tum·​bling ˈtəm-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce tumbling (audio)
: the skill, practice, or sport of executing gymnastic feats (such as somersaults and handsprings) without the use of apparatus

tumbling

2 of 2

adjective

: tipped or slanted out of the vertical
used especially of a cattle brand

Examples of tumbling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Biles had landed awkwardly in warmups on the floor, performing her Biles II tumbling pass. Dana O'Neil, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024 Andrade stepped out of bounds on her first tumbling pass but otherwise hit her floor routine, which is among the best in the world and has earned her a spot in the floor exercise final in a few days. Maggie Astor, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2024
Adjective
In the last few weeks of 2022 alone, Giuliani generated one more tumbling wave of negative publicity. John Marks, CNN, 7 Jan. 2023 The Senate majority leader represents the big-business wing of the Republican Party, and Wall Street, if the tumbling stock market is any indication, fears Trump’s protectionism will cause economic pain. Jeet Heer, The New Republic, 5 Apr. 2018 See all Example Sentences for tumbling 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1604, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tumbling was in 1604

Dictionary Entries Near tumbling

Cite this Entry

“Tumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tumbling. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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