gymnast
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of gymnast
1585–95; < Greek gymnastḗs the trainer of the athletes, equivalent to gymnáz ( ein ) ( see gymnasium 1) + -tēs agent suffix
Explanation
A gymnast is a person who trains in and practices the sport of gymnastics. If you become a gymnast, you'll learn to walk and jump and even do cartwheels on a balance beam. Athletes who participate in gymnastics are gymnasts. During competitions, gymnasts perform routines on uneven and parallel bars; vault over a special "horse" or table; and demonstrate a series of floor moves including back flips, handstands, and leaps. Gymnast comes from gymnastics, which is based on the Greek gynmastikos, "skilled in bodily exercise," from the root gymnazein, "to exercise."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He was the first gymnast to complete the Grand Slam and so arrives at these Games as one of Team NI's wise auld heids - despite only being 26 years old.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
The gymnast Jordan Chiles has said that naps “help regulate my nervous system.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
The Times reached out to an agency that represents the gymnast but received no immediate response.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026
Javadli - who is a former international gymnast - has also been facing potential arrest for e-crimes - online offences - in the UAE after she livestreamed one of the showdowns last year.
From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026
Throwing out his hands, he caught the rail, swooped around it like a gymnast, and made a clean dismount onto the track.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
"I feel that the ICP process failed me and many other gymnasts," Laura says.
From BBC ● May 21, 2026
Since then, several gymnasts have taken legal action against the governing body.
From BBC ● May 21, 2026
In October 2023, Laura's case was heard and the ICP panel issued the lead coach at Laura's former club with a warning, due to their "serious concerns" about the approach to weighing gymnasts at club.
From BBC ● May 21, 2026
The constantly changing lineup means all gymnasts must be prepared for changes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 7, 2026
“Very few of the top gymnasts can manage that,” my mom said, hoping her levelheadedness would calm me down.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
