tumbler

noun

tum·​bler ˈtəm-blər 

1

: one that tumbles: such as

a

: one who performs tumbling feats : acrobat

b

: any of various domestic pigeons that tumble or roll over backward in flight or on the ground

2

: a drinking glass without foot or stem and originally with pointed or convex base

3

a

: a movable obstruction in a lock (such as a lever, latch, wheel, slide, or pin) that must be adjusted to a particular position (as by a key) before the bolt can be thrown

b

: a piece on which the mainspring acts in a gun's lock

4

: a device or mechanism for tumbling (such as a revolving cage in which clothes are dried)

5

: a worker who operates a tumbler

tumblerful

ˈtəm-blər-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Examples of tumbler in a Sentence

She drank a tumbler of water.

a gymnast who's a skillful tumbler

Recent Examples on the Web

As beauty brands increasingly lean into merch as a means to expand their audience and build brand identity, WWD rounds up the latest — from lip oil-holding tumblers to coffee table books. —Noor Lobad, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024

Consumers also have the option of returning the tumbler and metal straw to get a refund in the form of a $15 gift card. —Kate Gibson, CBS News, 31 Oct. 2024

The set includes four glass tumbler cups, as well as four glass straws. —Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2024

Trek Tumbler Stay hydrated throughout the day with this 40-ounce tumbler. —Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tumbler

noun

tum·​bler ˈtəm-blər 

1

: a person (as an acrobat) who tumbles

2

: a pigeon that often tumbles backward in flight

3

: a drinking glass

a water tumbler

4

: a movable part in a lock that must be adjusted (as by a key) before the lock will open