vaulting

¹ American  

[vawl-ting] / ˈvɔl tɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or process of constructing vaults.

2. the structure forming a vault.

3. a vault ceiling, etc., or such structures collectively.

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vaulting ² American  

[vawl-ting] / ˈvɔl tɪŋ /

adjective

1. leaping up or over.

2. used in vaulting.

   a vaulting pole.

3. excessive in ambition or presumption; overweening; high-flown.

   vaulting ambition;

   vaulting pride.

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vaulting ¹ British  

/ ˈvɔːltɪŋ /

adjective

1. excessively confident; overreaching; exaggerated

   vaulting arrogance

2. used to vault

   a vaulting pole

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vaulting ² British  

/ ˈvɔːltɪŋ /

noun

1. one or more vaults in a building or such structures considered collectively

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Etymology

Origin of vaulting¹

First recorded in 1505–15; vault ¹ + -ing ¹

Origin of vaulting²

First recorded in 1525–35; vault ² + -ing ²

Example Sentences

“Gavin Newsom’s megaphone is loud enough to echo across this race, leading other prominent members of the party to endorse whomever he chooses and vaulting someone, finally, out of the crowded pack,” Kousser said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

He dropped it near a line of police before vaulting a crash barrier.

From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026

According to his 1409 biography, Boucicaut was a paragon of knighthood and an athlete who followed a punishing physical training regime, capable of vaulting fully armed onto his horse’s back.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Polls in the last couple of days have shown him taking a serious hit, perhaps even vaulting Miyares into the lead.

From Slate • Oct. 11, 2025

“Wait a minute,” I said, vaulting to my feet, my weak knees forgotten as my mind raced ahead.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin