trampoline

American  

[tram-puh-leen, tram-puh-leen, -lin] / ˌtræm pəˈlin, ˈtræm pəˌlin, -lɪn /

noun

1. a sheet, usually of canvas, attached by resilient cords or springs to a horizontal frame several feet above the floor, used by acrobats and gymnasts as a springboard in tumbling.

2. Nautical. a fabric deck stretched on the braces connecting the hulls of a catamaran or trimaran, resembling a gymnastic trampoline.

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trampoline British  

/ -ˌliːn, ˈtræmpəlɪn /

noun

1. a tough canvas sheet suspended by springs or elasticated cords from a frame, used by acrobats, gymnasts, etc

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verb

1. (intr) to exercise on a trampoline

Other Word Forms

• trampoliner noun
• trampolinist noun

Etymology

Origin of trampoline

1790–1800; variant of trampolin < Italian trampolino springboard, equivalent to trampol ( i ) stilts (< Germanic; see trample) + -ino -ine ¹

Explanation

A trampoline is a piece of gym equipment that's made for bouncing. Some people have trampolines in their yards so they can bounce and flip whenever they want to, while others go to trampoline parks to fulfill their bouncing needs. Professional trampolines are extremely sturdy, made of a large piece of durable fabric stretched tightly across a raised frame of springs. It may appear that the surface of a trampoline is stretchy, but it's actually the springs that provide the bounce, not the fabric. Jumping on a trampoline can be dangerous, especially if there are several people doing it at the same time. Trampoline comes from the Spanish trampolin, "springboard."

Example Sentences

We had five bedrooms and baths, a 40-foot living room, a Steinway grand, a huge dining table and a trampoline out back.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

The opulent abode also comes complete with a theater room, sauna, party space, steam room, separate men’s and women’s lockers, a trampoline room with a 20-foot ceiling, offices, and outdoor sports courts.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 24, 2026

The resulting patchy surfaces drew criticism at the 2024 Copa America, with players complaining of "frustrating" pitches that felt like "a trampoline."

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

It’s trampoline heaven, where you can catapult higher than you intended to.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2025

I saw what happened at the trampoline park—we all did—and Webb told me that he and Coach Noles didn’t always see eye to eye, but I never thought this would happen.

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner