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

There would be no somersaults, no flipping, no spinning without permission—seriously, no horsing around of any kind. —Nicola Twilley, WIRED, 11 Feb. 2020

But, after its release in the U.K. months ago, Mothers’ Instinct is slipping into U.S. theaters with as little splash as an Olympic diver nailing a triple somersault tuck. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 26 July 2024

My high point was executing an 180 degree mid air somersault crowd surfing on the first night of the Osees residency at Hotel Vegas while John Dwyer inhaled the house mic. —Mars Salazar, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Nov. 2024

In the Instagram video, Charlotte performed a cartwheel followed by a back somersault on an inflatable mat in what appeared to be the family’s backyard. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 1 Oct. 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