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• axel
  axel

  noun

  a jump performed by a skater leaping from the front outer edge of one skate into the air to make 1½ rotations of the body and landing on the back outer edge of the other skate.
• Axel
  Axel

  noun

  a first name.

axel

¹ American  

[ak-suhl] / ˈæk səl /

noun

Figure Skating.

1. a jump performed by a skater leaping from the front outer edge of one skate into the air to make 1½ rotations of the body and landing on the back outer edge of the other skate.

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Axel ² American  

[ak-suhl] / ˈæk səl /

noun

1. a first name.

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axel British  

/ ˈæksəl /

noun

1. skating a jump in which the skater takes off from the forward outside edge of one skate, makes one and a half, two and a half, or three and a half turns in the air, and lands on the backward outside edge of the other skate

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Usage

What does axel mean? An axel is a maneuver in figure skating. The skater leaps from the front outside edge of one skate, rotates 1 ½ times, and lands on the rear outside edge of the other skate. The axel, also known as the axel jump, is considered the most difficult of the six jumps in figure skating. A tripleaxel, where a skater rotates 3 ½ times, has a starting value of 8 points at the Olympics, compared to the 3. 3 points given for a double (2 ½ rotations) axel. Example: The judges were impressed by the skater’s axel and her perfect landing after completing the spin.

Etymology

Origin of axel

First recorded in 1925–30; after Axel Paulsen (1855–1938), Norwegian figure skater, who popularized the maneuver

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Explanation

One of the most challenging moves in figure skating is the axel, in which a skater jumps from the forward edge of one foot, spins in the air, and lands on the outside edge of the opposite skate. Doing a single axel is hard enough, but most competitive figure skaters learn to do double or even triple axels, rotating up to three times in the air before landing on the ice. Axels are deceptively tricky because starting on one foot and landing on the other requires an extra half-rotation. The jump is named for Axel Paulson, who invented it in the 19th century.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

axel Axel

The Californian won her first senior US title aged 13, landing a rare triple axel jump and breaking Tara Lipinski's record to become the youngest national champion.

From Barron's ● Feb. 20, 2026

Despite suffering a heavy fall in the warm-up she attacked her free skate, including a triple axel to start then a complex triple loop and double axel sequence.

From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2026

Glenn’s raw emotion and her triple axel are her calling cards while trying to stand out in the wide-open women’s field.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 17, 2026

At 12, she was the youngest person to land a triple axel in international competition.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 16, 2026

De dings vas maket simple,     Ash all crate idees shouldt pe, For 'tvas noding boot a gart-vheel,     Mit a dwo-feet axel dree.

From The Breitmann Ballads by Charles Godfrey Leland

Villa have spent £102.5m on Chelsea players including Axel Disasi's loan fee.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

Axel Disasi is a good start, but a bigger, permanent move would be great.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

That detail was suggested by Axel Leuenberger, Vanguart’s CEO and co-founder.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

"It is essentially part of psychological training: this way we understand if the personnel are ready for stressful situations ... and how they fight their fears," said Axel.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

“For some iconic species such as the giant panda, conservation successes can also help hundreds of lesser-known species that live alongside them,” says Axel Moehrenschlager of IUCN.

From "Camp Panda" by Catherine Thimmesh

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