tumbling

American  

[tuhm-bling] / ˈtʌm blɪŋ /

noun

1. the act, practice, or art of performing acrobatic tumbles, usually on a mat or the ground.

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Etymology

Origin of tumbling

First recorded in 1375–1425, tumbling is from the late Middle English word tomblyng. See tumble, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

It has been 9,113 days since they were relegated - by a 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa on 5 May 2001 - with the Sky Blues then tumbling to the brink.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

At Forde Abbey on the Dorset-Somerset border, with roots stretching back 900 years, the walled garden is stuffed with robust cabbages and tumbling sweetpeas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Instead, we talked for hours, our words tumbling over each other like we’d been rehearsing for years.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

"And we'll be doing that very soon, and they'll come tumbling down."

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Alicia yelled, winging Miel at Daniel and Zeke, who were tumbling through the air.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness

Related Words

• plunging