dumbbell

[duhm-bel]

noun

1. a gymnastic apparatus consisting of two wooden or metal balls connected by a short bar serving as a handle, used as a weight for exercising.

2. a stupid person.

   Synonyms: dimwit, blockhead, fool, ignoramus, dunce

dumbbell

/ ˈdʌmˌbɛl /

noun

1. gymnastics weightlifting an exercising weight consisting of a single bar with a heavy ball or disc at either end

2. a small wooden object shaped like this used in dog training for the dog to retrieve

3. slang,  a fool

Word History and Origins

Origin of dumbbell¹

First recorded in 1705–15; dumb + bell ¹

Example Sentences

For instance, each dumbbell at the Chargers facility is emblazoned with the club’s lightning-bolt logo.

From Los Angeles Times

The sessions included deadlifts, dumbbell bench presses, lateral bounds, resistance band drills, sprints and hurdles.

From Los Angeles Times

“Man, I’ll be seeing his little Instagram posts, the benches, the dumbbell benches. Hey, he can get me whenever he’s ready.”

From Los Angeles Times

Cedars-Sinai’s Gulati notes the many different forms of strength training beyond the stereotypical image of iron dumbbells or a hulking barbell.

From Los Angeles Times

The men's facility featured rows of workout platforms, outfitted with dumbbells, barbells and weights capable of going into the hundreds of pounds.

From BBC