cartwheel

1 of 2

noun

cart·​wheel ˈkärt-ˌ(h)wēl 

1

: a large coin (such as a silver dollar)

2

: a lateral handspring with arms and legs extended

cartwheel

2 of 2

verb

cartwheeled; cartwheeling; cartwheels

intransitive verb

: to move like a turning wheel

specifically : to perform cartwheels

cartwheeler noun

Examples of cartwheel in a Sentence

Noun

The children turned cartwheels and somersaults on the grass.

Verb

She cartwheeled across the floor.

The car hit the pole and then cartwheeled across the road.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Elijah did a cartwheel and backflip in celebration. —John Branch, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024

Over the last two weeks, players have done cartwheels, performed leaping body bumps and raised the decibels to helicopter-hovering levels. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024

Verb

Learning how to ride a bike without training wheels, rollerblading, and cartwheeling are perfect opportunities for kids to practice being brave. —Jenna Autuori-Dedic, Parents, 8 Oct. 2024

It’s called the Biles II, also known as the Yurchenko double pike, a nod to the former Soviet gymnast who originated the cartwheeling approach to the vault. —Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1917, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cartwheel

• cartwheel flower

Kids Definition

cartwheel

noun

cart·​wheel

ˈkärt-ˌhwēl,

-ˌwēl

1

: a large coin (as a silver dollar)

2

: a sideways handspring with arms and legs extended