trapeze

[tra-peez, truh-]

noun

1. an apparatus, used in gymnastics and acrobatics, consisting of a short horizontal bar attached to the ends of two suspended ropes.

2. (on a small sailboat) a device by which a crew member can be suspended almost completely outboard while hiking.

trapeze

/ trəˈpiːz /

noun

1. a free-swinging bar attached to two ropes, used by circus acrobats, etc

2. a sling like a bosun's chair at one end of a line attached to the masthead of a light racing sailing boat, used in sitting out

Word History and Origins

Origin of trapeze¹

1860–65; < French, special use of trapèze trapezium

Word History and Origins

Origin of trapeze¹

C19: from French trapèze , from New Latin; see _trapezium

Example Sentences

The circus is still in town, but the trapeze artists, tightrope walkers and other eye-catching acts are no more.

From BBC

They swing from makeshift trapezes and zipline across Christmas trees.

From Los Angeles Times

Around 20 jugglers, trapeze artists and concession stand workers are filtering into the big top that the majestic Circus Vargas uses to perform across 25 California cities 11 months out of the year.

From Los Angeles Times

Navigating this period as a journalist and sole parent feels like being a trapeze artist without a net—each day teetering on the edge of madness.

From Salon

“It was so eloquent. Like watching a trapeze artist on a high wire, poised gracefully in midair.”

From Los Angeles Times