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

Example Sentences

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

Three-time national champion Amber Glenn combines power in her triple axel with emotion on the ice.

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 Leland, Charles Godfrey