gymnast
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of gymnast
1585–95; < Greek gymnastḗs the trainer of the athletes, equivalent to gymnáz ( ein ) ( see gymnasium 1) + -tēs agent suffix
Explanation
A gymnast is a person who trains in and practices the sport of gymnastics. If you become a gymnast, you'll learn to walk and jump and even do cartwheels on a balance beam. Athletes who participate in gymnastics are gymnasts. During competitions, gymnasts perform routines on uneven and parallel bars; vault over a special "horse" or table; and demonstrate a series of floor moves including back flips, handstands, and leaps. Gymnast comes from gymnastics, which is based on the Greek gynmastikos, "skilled in bodily exercise," from the root gymnazein, "to exercise."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Gymnast Simone Biles has revealed that her custom-built Texas mansion has finally been completed after more than two years of work—while sharing a glimpse of the stunning abode during her official walk-through this week.
From MarketWatch • Oct. 23, 2025
Gymnast Simone Biles and sprinter Noah Lyles might be wealthy from their Olympic victories, but they are exceptions.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 25, 2024
Gymnast Simone Biles and sprinter Noah Lyles were among those in the Olympic space who helped change that dynamic.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 17, 2023
Fearing that any substantial British effort against the Germans in Norway or northern France would become a slaughter, Winston Churchill conceived Operation Gymnast, a plan to engage the Germans in northwest Africa instead.
From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022
By St. Winifred's placket, cried Gymnast, this case has been often tried.
From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 4 by Motteux, Peter Anthony
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
