horizontal bar

American  

noun

Gymnastics.

1. a bar fixed in a position parallel to the floor or ground, for use in chinning and other exercises.

2. an event in gymnastic competitions, judged on strength and grace while performing specific movements on such a bar.

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horizontal bar British  

noun

1. Also called: high bar.  gymnastics a raised bar on which swinging and vaulting exercises are performed

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Etymology

Origin of horizontal bar

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

What makes UCLA’s otherwise cookie-cutter postseason look stand out is on the back: “We” printed over a horizontal bar and “me.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2025

The agent had to grab a horizontal bar as well, doing so with his left hand across his body.

From Washington Post • Dec. 1, 2022

But Mr. Moore never thought he had the athletic ability to swing, stretch out, then fly from a long horizontal bar, often 30 feet in the air.

From New York Times • Sep. 20, 2022

He stuck a superb horizontal bar routine on England's final rotation, top-scoring with 14.500.

From BBC • Jul. 29, 2022

The Maya used a dot to signify one and a horizontal bar to signify five; the number nineteen would thus be three bars and four dots.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann