handspring

noun

hand·​spring ˈhan(d)-ˌspriŋ How to pronounce handspring (audio)
: an acrobatic feat in which the body turns forward or backward in a full circle from a standing position and lands first on the hands and then on the feet

Examples of handspring in a Sentence

He did a handspring on the lawn.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The Yurchenko entry — a roundoff onto the springboard and a back handspring onto the vault table — is named after former Russian gymnast Natalia Yurchenko, who debuted her eponymous skill in 1982. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 24 July 2024 With every tumble, handspring and stuck landing at the Paris Olympics, trailblazing two-time gold medal gymnast Carlos Yulo of Team Philippines ignited a wave of Filipino pride. Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 6 Aug. 2024 One of the most complex is her second pass: a full-twisting front flip connected immediately into a roundoff, back handspring and full-twisting double back flip. Maggie Astor, New York Times, 30 July 2024 The move, formerly known as the Yurchenko double pike, is extremely difficult and requires a round-off entry onto the springboard, a back handspring onto the vaulting table and two flips with straight legs. Sarah Maddox, CBS News, 27 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for handspring 

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of handspring was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near handspring

Cite this Entry

“Handspring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handspring. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

handspring

noun
hand·​spring ˈhan(d)-ˌspriŋ How to pronounce handspring (audio)
: a tumbling feat in which the body turns in a full circle from a standing position and lands first on the hands and then on the feet

More from Merriam-Webster on handspring

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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