figure skating

American  

noun

1. ice skating in which the skater traces intricate patterns on the ice.

2. a type of ice skating developed from this, emphasizing jumps, spins, and other movements that combine athletic skills and dance techniques.

3. 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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figure skating British  

noun

1. ice skating in which the skater traces outlines of selected patterns

2. the whole art of skating, as distinct from skating at speed

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Other Word Forms

• figure skater
  noun

Etymology

Origin of figure skating

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Ilia Malinin was the heavy favorite to win gold in men’s figure skating before a devastating free skate.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

The gala included Olympic figure skating medallists and invited skaters including former Italian Olympic medallist Carolina Kostner.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu smiled through a monster free program, clinching the figure skating gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Milan on Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2026

To reach the most hallowed ground in figure skating, Liu had to retire at 16, unretire two years later, and come back as an entirely different skater with an unapologetically carefree approach.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

The short-distance races, following the figure skating, were all within the oval of the principal arena.

From The Girls of Central High Aiding the Red Cross Or Amateur Theatricals for a Worthy Cause by Morrison, Gertrude W.