parallel bars

American  

noun

1. (used with a plural verb) a gymnasium apparatus consisting of two wooden bars on uprights, adjustable in height, and used for swinging, vaulting, balancing exercises, etc.

2. (used with a singular or plural verb) a competitive event for men on such an apparatus.

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parallel bars British  

plural noun

1. gymnastics

   1. (functioning as plural) a pair of wooden bars on uprights, sometimes at different heights, for various exercises

   2. (functioning as singular) an event in a gymnastic competition in which competitors exercise on such bars

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Etymology

Origin of parallel bars

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Lukas Dauser of Germany took gold in the men’s parallel bars with a huge 15.400, finishing ahead of China’s Shi Cong and Kaito Sugimoto of Japan.

From Washington Times • Oct. 8, 2023

Zou Jingyuan of China picked up gold in the men’s parallel bars.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 29, 2023

After an hour he said he was able to get up from sitting to standing and he was able to walk along a set of parallel bars.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2023

Along with the ban, Kuliak must return the bronze medal he won in parallel bars, the International Gymnastics Federation said.

From Seattle Times • May 18, 2022

When April answered, all he said was, “Look, I got to talk to you and Ross tomorrow early. Meet you out by the parallel bars first recess. Can’t talk now—party line.”

From "The Egypt Game" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder