somersault

noun

som·​er·​sault ˈsə-mər-ˌsȯlt 

variants or less commonly summersault

: a movement (as in gymnastics) in which a person turns forward or backward in a complete revolution along the ground or in the air bringing the feet over the head

also : a falling or tumbling head over heels

somersault intransitive verb

Examples of somersault in a Sentence

The gymnast turned a somersault.

Recent Examples on the Web

The hack-and-slash games are known for their melee-style combat, which often involves the use of throwing stars and other traditional ninja weapons interspersed between copious somersaults. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2024

Anxious to meet the person doing somersaults inside me all night. —Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2024

Dobbins — limited to just 100 carries with Baltimore the last three seasons because of injuries to his ACL, meniscus, LCL, hamstring and Achilles — ended the run with a somersault across the goal line. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2024

Moreover, some maneuvers, such as flips and somersaults, are especially associated with risk of head and cervical spine injury. —Katia Hetter, CNN, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French sombresaut leap, ultimately from Latin super over + saltus leap, from salire to jump — more at over, sally

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

somersault

1 of 2 noun

som·​er·​sault

ˈsəm-ər-ˌsȯlt

: a leap or roll in which a person turns heels over head

somersault

2 of 2 verb

: to perform a somersault

Etymology

from early French sombresaut "somersault," derived from Latin super "over" and saltus "leap," from salire "to jump" — related to resilient