gymnastics

American  

[jim-nas-tiks] / dʒɪmˈnæs tɪks /

noun

1. (used with a plural verb) gymnastic exercises.

2. (used with a singular verb) the practice art, or competitive sport of gymnastic exercises.

3. (used with a plural verb) mental feats or other exercises of skill.

   Verbal gymnastics.

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gymnastics British  

/ dʒɪmˈnæstɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) practice or training in exercises that develop physical strength and agility or mental capacity

2. (functioning as plural) gymnastic exercises

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Usage

What does gymnastics mean? Gymnastics is a sport involving tests and demonstrations of balance, strength, and agility through physical exercises, many of which are performed using special equipment. Skills performed in gymnastics include rhythmic dance, feats of strength and balance, and highly athletic and artistic body movements, such as vaults, flips, twists, and other aerial maneuvers. The gymnastics events at the Summer Olympic Games are widely considered to feature the highest level of international competition. They consist of three separate competitions: artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline gymnastics. The most well-known form of gymnastics is artistic gymnastics, and this is the sport that’s most often simply referred to as gymnastics. It includes several different competitive events, including floor exercise, vault, parallel bars, uneven bars, horizontal bar, balance beam, rings, and pommel horseRhythmic gymnastics involves dancelike movements while handling objects such as balls, hoops, and ribbons. Trampoline gymnastics involves performing acrobatics with the aid of a trampoline. Athletes who compete in the sport of gymnastics are called gymnasts. The word gymnastics is also sometimes used in a figurative way to refer to the exercise of skill in some (usually difficult) task or action, as in I bet that took quite a bit of mental gymnastics. Example: In the history of gymnastics, there has never been another gymnast quite like Simone Biles.

Etymology

Origin of gymnastics

First recorded in 1645–55; gymnastic, -ics

Compare meaning

How does gymnastics compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• acrobatics vs. gymnastics

Explanation

The sport involving balance beams, uneven bars, and cartwheels is gymnastics. To be good at gymnastics, you have to be strong, limber, and able to do handstands. In ancient Greece, young men originally learned gymnastics as a way of training for war. Today's elite gymnasts work just as hard to perfect routines for competition. Women and girls compete in four gymnastics events: uneven bars, vault, floor excercise, and balance beam. Men's gymnastics includes four events: floor exercise, vault, pommel horse rings, high bar, and parallel bars. The word gymnastics shares a root with gymnasium: the Greek word gymnazein, "to exercise or train."

Example Sentences

“Activities like swimming lessons, martial arts, gymnastics or music often build discipline, resilience and life skills that matter just as much as future tuition savings,” he noted.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Schools argue that athletics are part of their educational mission, with revenue from football and basketball funding sports that make far less money, such as swimming and gymnastics.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

She has done videos with the No. 5 ranked gymnastics team and No. 7 softball team, where Jaquez spent time last season.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

Leah Williamson: The first time I ever played football, my memory was at gymnastics.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

The more time I spent in the company of Miss Val’s team, the more I wanted to finish out my gymnastics career as part of UCLA’s program.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles