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; trample ) + -ino -ine ¹

Example Sentences

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

Just thinking about that made Bat feel queasy, like he’d been jumping on a trampoline with a stomach full of pizza.

From Literature

"I went to a trampoline birthday party in Carlisle and I just had to sit in the cafe because I wasn't allowed to go on the trampolines," she said.

From BBC

Under these conditions, the atoms should have absorbed energy continuously, similar to how motion builds on a trampoline when someone keeps jumping.

From Science Daily

One train was struck by a trampoline that blew onto the railway line south of Perth on Tuesday evening, but it was able to continue its journey.

From BBC