cartwheel

1 of 2

noun

cart·​wheel ˈkärt-ˌ(h)wēl 

1

: a large coin (such as a silver dollar)

2

: a lateral handspring with arms and legs extended

cartwheel

2 of 2

verb

cartwheeled; cartwheeling; cartwheels

intransitive verb

: to move like a turning wheel

specifically : to perform cartwheels

cartwheeler noun

Examples of cartwheel in a Sentence

Noun

The children turned cartwheels and somersaults on the grass.

Verb

She cartwheeled across the floor.

The car hit the pole and then cartwheeled across the road.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Not every queen can do cartwheels, splits and comedy in a single routine — and even fewer of them can do it while on roller skates. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 10 Jan. 2025

My face plant is sudden, a cartwheel of flying ski poles and curse words into powder. —Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 18 Dec. 2024

Verb

And this is an apt name for this chapter as all the traumatized denizens of the bunkers suffer restrictions from barricades, both physical and emotional, as their unnatural subterranean life seems to be cartwheeling out of control since Juliette took a stroll outside. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 23 Dec. 2024

Learning how to ride a bike without training wheels, rollerblading, and cartwheeling are perfect opportunities for kids to practice being brave. —Jenna Autuori-Dedic, Parents, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1917, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cartwheel

• cartwheel flower

Kids Definition

cartwheel

noun

cart·​wheel

ˈkärt-ˌhwēl,

-ˌwēl

1

: a large coin (as a silver dollar)

2

: a sideways handspring with arms and legs extended