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definitions

figure skating

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noun

ice skating in which the skater traces intricate patterns on the ice.
a type of ice skating developed from this, emphasizing jumps, spins, and other movements that combine athletic skills and dance techniques.
a competitive sport in which the skater is required to execute school figures and to perform one or more original programs of difficult jumps, spins, etc., to a musical setting.

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Nearby words

  1. figure of merit,
  2. figure of speech,
  3. figure on,
  4. figure out,
  5. figure skate,
  6. figure up,
  7. figure-ground,
  8. figure-ground phenomenon,
  9. figured,
  10. figured bass

Origin of figure skating

First recorded in 1865–70
Related formsfigure skater, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for figure skating

  • But the piano playing, figure-skating, sports enthusiast Soviet expert has never been just another anything.

    Condoleezza Tells Her Story|Dayo Olopade|October 15, 2010|DAILY BEAST

  • This is the place for figure-skating; the ice is perfect, and the wind cannot interfere with the balance.

    The Hills and the Vale|Richard Jefferies

  • Sahwah realized that she was figure-skating on thin ice when she mentioned that subject and forebore to make any further remarks.

    The Camp Fire Girls Do Their Bit|Hildegard G. Frey

  • Once a Finnish lady went over to Paris and received the sum of £120 a month for giving entertainments in figure-skating.

    Through Finland in Carts|Ethel Brilliana Alec-Tweedie
British Dictionary definitions for figure skating

figure skating

noun

ice skating in which the skater traces outlines of selected patterns
the whole art of skating, as distinct from skating at speed
Derived Formsfigure skater, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012