clean and jerk

American

noun

Weightlifting.

a lift in which a barbell is raised from the floor to shoulder height where it is brought to rest and then, with a lunging movement by the lifter, is thrust overhead so the arms extend straight in the air, being held in this position for a short, specified length of time.

Etymology

Origin of clean and jerk

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

clean and jerk

Competing in the women's 77kg - as she will in Glasgow - she lifted 142kg in the clean and jerk category as she established herself as one of Samoa's most exciting medal prospects for years.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

Aided by massive British support in the crowd, Campbell roared in celebration after lifting the weight, which put her in third going into the clean and jerk.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2024

Canadian Nicolas Vachon opted for the heaviest weight in the clean and jerk of 187kg and also looked to have seized the gold, only to drop the bar behind him at the final moment.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 1, 2022

In 1957, he became the world’s first man under 200 pounds to clean and jerk 400.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 10, 2021

A very good 197-lb weight lifter lifted 192 kg in a move called the clean and jerk.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023