tumbler

American  

[tuhm-bler] / ˈtʌm blər /

noun

tumblers plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• tumblers
  plural

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

The Florida litigation adds to OpenAI’s ongoing legal issues, including a lawsuit related to a mass shooting that took place earlier this year in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia in Canada.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman apologized to the remote community of Tumbler Ridge earlier this month, saying he "was deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement to the account that was banned in June."

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 the letter, Altman said he spoke to Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka and Eby about the shooting and they agreed on a public apology.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

The women of the household were excellent listeners; also splendid laughers, and Tumbler was unrivalled in the matter of crowing, so that noise as well as feasting was usually the order of the night.

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

Related Words

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