1
gymnastics
jim-ˈna-stiks 
plural in form but singular in construction
plural in form but singular in construction
a
: physical exercises designed to develop strength and coordination
b
: a competitive sport in which individuals perform optional and prescribed acrobatic feats mostly on special apparatus in order to demonstrate strength, balance, and body control
2
: an exercise in intellectual or artistic dexterity
my earlier philosophic study had been an intellectual gymnastic—
John Dewey
John Deweymental gymnastics
3
: a physical feat or contortion
the gymnastics necessary for the killer to have swung from the fire escape—E. D. Radin
E. D. RadinExamples of gymnastic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
There’s a haunted quality, a gymnastic facility with language, an intellect like an impact driver.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
Andy Theobald, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2025
The younger of the two kids was born April 15, 2023 — a day after the Thunder were eliminated from that season’s play-in tournament and the day the Sooners were competing in the NCAA gymnastics final in Fort Worth, Texas.
—Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gymnastic
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Adjective
The athlete, who was recently a cover star for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, was part of the LSU gymnastic team that took home the 2024 Collegiate National Championship — the first in the school’s history.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
There’s a haunted quality, a gymnastic facility with language, an intellect like an impact driver.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
The gymnastics squad earned its best finish in program history in the 2025 season, securing third place in the NCAA Gymnastics Championships, while the volleyball team earned its fifth Sweet 16 appearance all-time.
—Andy Theobald, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2025
The younger of the two kids was born April 15, 2023 — a day after the Thunder were eliminated from that season’s play-in tournament and the day the Sooners were competing in the NCAA gymnastics final in Fort Worth, Texas.
—Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gymnastic
Cite this Entry
“Gymnastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gymnastic. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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