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

She also broke the snatch Commonwealth record with 124kg and did the same in the clean and jerk, with 162kg.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2022

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

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 10, 2021

That backfired as Djuraev responded with a successful final lift and Martirosyan was left to attempt a 238kg clean and jerk, three kilograms more than he would have needed to secure gold.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 3, 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