gymnastics

American  

[jim-nas-tiks] / dʒɪmˈnæs tɪks /

noun

1. (used with a plural verb) gymnastic exercises.

2. (used with a singular verb) the practice art, or competitive sport of gymnastic exercises.

3. (used with a plural verb) mental feats or other exercises of skill.

   Verbal gymnastics.

---

gymnastics British  

/ dʒɪmˈnæstɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) practice or training in exercises that develop physical strength and agility or mental capacity

2. (functioning as plural) gymnastic exercises

---

Usage

What does gymnastics mean? Gymnastics is a sport involving tests and demonstrations of balance, strength, and agility through physical exercises, many of which are performed using special equipment.Skills performed in gymnastics include rhythmic dance, feats of strength and balance, and highly athletic and artistic body movements, such as vaults, flips, twists, and other aerial maneuvers.The gymnastics events at the Summer Olympic Games are widely considered to feature the highest level of international competition. They consist of three separate competitions: artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline gymnastics.The most well-known form of gymnastics is artistic gymnastics, and this is the sport that’s most often simply referred to as gymnastics. It includes several different competitive events, including floor exercise, vault, parallel bars, uneven bars, horizontal bar, balance beam, rings, and pommel horseRhythmic gymnastics involves dancelike movements while handling objects such as balls, hoops, and ribbons. Trampoline gymnastics involves performing acrobatics with the aid of a trampoline.Athletes who compete in the sport of gymnastics are called gymnasts.The word gymnastics is also sometimes used in a figurative way to refer to the exercise of skill in some (usually difficult) task or action, as in I bet that took quite a bit of mental gymnastics. Example: In the history of gymnastics, there has never been another gymnast quite like Simone Biles.

Etymology

Origin of gymnastics

First recorded in 1645–55; gymnastic, -ics

Compare meaning

How does gymnastics compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• acrobatics vs. gymnastics

Example Sentences

Anytime the gymnastics are dialed in and made to look easy, the crowd can focus on the performance.

From Los Angeles Times

His dream is to appear in a musical film, and he attends four different dance classes a week, as well as piano, gymnastics and monthly musical theatre workshops.

From BBC

You see great results in diving, in gymnastics and there’s not a big difference between figure skating, diving, gymnastics.

From Los Angeles Times

The nationally televised meet featured the past two Big Ten gymnastics champions, with the Bruins winning in 2025 and the Spartans in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times

There are many examples of mums returning to the top of their sports but this is not the case in gymnastics, where pelvic floor and core strength - both weakened during pregnancy - are so vital.

From BBC