gymnastics

[jim-nas-tiks]

See more synonyms for gymnastics on Thesaurus.com

noun

(used with a plural verb) gymnastic exercises.
(used with a singular verb) the practice art, or competitive sport of gymnastic exercises.
(used with a plural verb) mental feats or other exercises of skill: Verbal gymnastics.

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Origin of gymnastics

First recorded in 1645–55; see origin at gymnastic, -ics

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for gymnastics

Contemporary Examples

It was that spectacular and it went on for an hour or two… a mass display of gymnastics and dancing and tumbling.
How to Hide a Famine with Ping-Pong
Nicholas Griffin
January 9, 2014
However, its only teams to win gold were in gymnastics and fencing, both intensely solo sports.
China’s Schools Teaches Kids to Take Tests, Obey the State, and Not Much More
Junheng Li
November 30, 2013
But by the end of high school, Sara, who once excelled in academics, gymnastics, and volleyball, had changed.
Lost and Found in Tijuana: Behind an Amazing American Rescue
Christine Pelisek
September 26, 2013
He took Hannah to gymnastics practice and Ethan to football tryouts, wrote the paper.
Hannah Anderson Captor a ‘Trusted Friend,’ Cat Lover
Christine Pelisek
August 13, 2013
To understand surf contests, think of a blend of March Madness and gymnastics.
Kelly Slater Gets a Perfect Surfing Score
Mark Lukach
June 12, 2013

Historical Examples

We employed our spare time in gymnastics, in turning, and in rambles.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
But we must not mind the wits; there was a time when they might have laughed at our present gymnastics.
The Republic
Plato
I should like to explain to you this singular kind of gymnastics.
Laws
Plato
Every year they shall have contests in music and gymnastics, and in horsemanship, in honour of the dead.
Laws
Plato
Gymnastics are to be practised chiefly with a view to their use in war.
Laws
Plato

British Dictionary definitions for gymnastics

gymnastics

noun

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

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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

Word Origin and History for gymnastics

n.

1650s, from gymnastic; also see -ics.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper