handstand

American  

[hand-stand] / ˈhændˌstænd /

noun

1. an act or instance of supporting the body in a vertical position by balancing on the palms of the hands.

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verb (used without object)

handstood, handstanding

1. to perform a handstand.

handstand British  

/ ˈhændˌstænd /

noun

1. the act or instance of supporting the body on the hands alone in an upside down position

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Etymology

Origin of handstand

First recorded in 1895–1900; hand + stand

Explanation

When a gymnast supports her body's weight on her hands, with her legs straight up in the air, she does a handstand. It takes a great sense of balance to hold a handstand very long. You'll learn how to do a handstand in a gymnastics class, eventually even doing handstands on a balance beam or vault horse. Some yoga instructors teach handstands, and acrobatic circus performers do many varieties of the handstand. There are even dives that require a diver to start from a handstand on the diving board before plunging into the pool.

Example Sentences

At the O2, that pain seemed a distant memory, as he careened around the U-shaped stage on roller skates, pulling off a flawless moonwalk, and even freeze-framing in a handstand.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2025

With each handstand — extending vertically like an arrow — Esparza’s teammates roared.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2025

"The males will do a handstand and urinate. It's a way of competing with other males."

From National Geographic • Sep. 21, 2023

Hop up toward a handstand, as long as you don’t mind if your floor moves, too.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 24, 2023

I mounted the bar with a kip and swung myself up to the handstand.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles