tumbler

American  

[tuhm-bler] / ˈtʌm blər /

noun

1. a person who performs leaps, somersaults, and other bodily feats.

2. (in a lock) any locking or checking part that, when lifted or released by the action of a key or the like, allows the bolt to move.

3. a stemless drinking glass having a flat, often thick bottom.

4. (in a gunlock) a leverlike piece that by the action of a spring forces the hammer forward when released by the trigger.

5. Machinery.

   1. a part moving a gear into place in a selective transmission.

   2. a single cog or cam on a rotating shaft, transmitting motion to a part with which it engages.

6. a tumbling box or barrel.

7. a person who operates a tumbling box or barrel.

8. one of a breed of dogs resembling a small greyhound, used formerly in hunting rabbits.

9. Also called roller.  one of a breed of domestic pigeons noted for the habit of tumbling backward in flight.

10. a toy, usually representing a fat, squatting figure, that is weighted and rounded at the bottom so as to rock when touched.

11. a tumbrel or tumble cart.

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tumbler British  

/ ˈtʌmblə /

noun

1. 1. a flat-bottomed drinking glass with no handle or stem. Originally, a tumbler had a round or pointed base and so could not stand upright

   2. Also called: tumblerful.  the contents or quantity such a glass holds

2. a person, esp a professional entertainer, who performs somersaults and other acrobatic feats

3. another name for tumble dryer

4. Also called: tumbling box.  a pivoted box or drum rotated so that the contents (usually inferior gemstones) tumble about and become smooth and polished

5. the part of a lock that retains or releases the bolt and is moved by the action of a key

6. a lever in a gunlock that receives the action of the mainspring when the trigger is pressed and thus forces the hammer forwards

7. 1. a part that moves a gear in a train of gears into and out of engagement

   2. a single cog or cam that transmits motion to the part with which it engages

8. a toy, often a doll, that is so weighted that it rocks when touched

9. (often capital) a breed of domestic pigeon kept for exhibition or flying. The performing varieties execute backward somersaults in flight

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Etymology

Origin of tumbler

1300–50; Middle English: acrobat; see tumble, -er ¹. Compare Low German tümeler drinking-cup, kind of pigeon

Explanation

The noun tumbler can refer either to an acrobat who performs gymnastic tricks or to a tall drinking glass with straight sides. If you own a lot of glass tumblers, you probably shouldn't let a troupe of tumblers practice back flips in your kitchen. Gymnasts are often called tumblers because they are skilled at tumbling, namely skills like round-offs, flips, aerials, and back handsprings. When an object is a tumbler, it's simply a drinking glass. Though today's drinking tumblers have flat bottoms, back in the 15th century they were rounded or pointed and couldn't be set down between drinks, or else they would topple over — or tumble.

Example Sentences

He said they are also inviting OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman and his leadership team to Tumbler Ridge to witness how the shooting has devastated the town.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Seven lawsuits were filed in US court on Wednesday against OpenAI on behalf of families impacted by the February mass shooting in the small Canadian mining town of Tumbler Ridge.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

OpenAI had previously promised Canadian officials that it will strengthen its safety measures in response to the Tumbler Ridge attack.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

In a post Friday on X, Eby called the apology “necessary, and yet grossly insufficient for the devastation done to the families of Tumbler Ridge.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

Okiok, Nunaga, Norrak, Ermigit, and Tumbler all filed in, and sat down in solemn silence.

From Red Rooney The Last of the Crew by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

Related Words

• beaker
• canteen
• carafe
• chalice
• decanter
• jug
• urn
• vial