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
1 American
[ak-suhl]
/ ˈæk səl /
noun
Figure Skating.
Axel
2
American
[ak-suhl]
/ ˈæk səl /
noun
axel
British
/ ˈæksəl /
noun
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
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Skating last after leading the short program, just as he did in Milan, Malinin landed five high-scoring quadruple jumps but not his pioneering quad axel, a jump he didn’t attempt at the Olympics.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 28, 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
She aced her triple axel and got her combination jump.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 2026
Heading into the free skate section in the lead, Malinin capitulated, fluffing his signature quad axel jump and falling twice to the ice to plummet to eighth spot overall.
From Barron's ● Feb. 16, 2026
Von vheel vas in de mittel, dough, And it vent as sure ash ecks, For he shtraddled on de axel dree, Mit der vheel petween his lecks.
From The Breitmann Ballads by Charles Godfrey Leland
On Saturday, Crystal Palace defender Axel Disasi was sent off for serious foul play in the 3-2 loss to Ipswich Town.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
"Several analysts argue that the second-quarter number itself may end up mattering less than what management says about the quarter ahead," said Axel Rudolph, a market analyst at IG.
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
That detail was suggested by Axel Leuenberger, Vanguart’s CEO and co-founder.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
"Airdropping personnel with parachute systems is impractical because, unfortunately, the enemy's assets can neutralize them very rapidly," said 24-year-old instructor Axel.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
Axel has observed many pairs of eagle babies come from that nest.
From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers
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.
