cartwheel

American  

[kahrt-hweel, -weel] / ˈkɑrtˌʰwil, -ˌwil /

noun

1. the wheel of a cart.

2. an acrobatic feat in which a person starts from a standing position, with arms extended, and wheels the body sideways, landing first on the hands and then on the feet and usually repeating this in a series.

3. Slang. any large coin, especially a U.S. silver dollar.

4. Slang. an amphetamine tablet.

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verb (used without object)

1. to roll forward end over end.

   The skier took a sudden spill and cartwheeled down the slope.

cartwheel British  

/ ˈkɑːtˌwiːl /

noun

1. the wheel of a cart, usually having wooden spokes and metal tyres

2. an acrobatic movement in which the body makes a sideways revolution supported on the hands with arms and legs outstretched

3. slang a large coin, esp the silver dollar

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Other Word Forms

• cartwheeler noun

Etymology

Origin of cartwheel

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at cart, wheel

Explanation

A cartwheel is a gymnastics move in which you stand sideways, put one hand and then the other on the ground, flip your legs straight up into the air, and then land your feet one at a time as you stand up straight. If you do a perfect cartwheel, your body appears to rotate (like a wheel). You can think of it as a kind of sideways somersault, and it's a move that shows up on playgrounds, in gymnastics and capoeira competitions, and in dance and cheerleading. Cartwheel, which prior to the 19th century simply meant "wheel on a cart," can also be used as a verb: "The birthday party guests were cartwheeling wildly around the yard."

Example Sentences

An acrobatic closing section featuring a backflip, aerial twist and a one-armed cartwheel captivated the crowd, who cheered wildly.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

Campbell celebrated with a cartwheel across the stage before congratulating China's Li Wenwen, who took gold, and silver medallist Park Hye-jeong of South Korea.

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2024

Do a cartwheel, have a picnic, embrace joy.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 2, 2024

Yeah, Simone says at one point, something like, "You guys can't even do a cartwheel."

From Salon • Jul. 19, 2024

"Moon Boy, make us laugh-" Moon Boy did a cartwheel, and vaulted on top of a table.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin