handstand

noun

hand·​stand ˈhan(d)-ˌstand How to pronounce handstand (audio)
: an act of supporting the body on the hands with the trunk and legs balanced in the air

Examples of handstand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The actor John Maria Gutierrez, even when disguised as a white businessman in a full-face mask, turns precipitate falls into rolls and handstands; the elegant Marcus McGregor, who danced with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Feld Ballet, demonstrates the cautious poise of a fawn. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2024 The pros effortlessly ride bikes, balance on each other’s shoulders and do handstands all while balancing on three, 25-foot-tall, connected wires shaped like at triangle. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024 She’s known for doing flips, handstands, and crazy performances in Miami, and brought that during her talent show number. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2024 The old school-alt rock band also headlined Lollapalooza in August, with Flea landing a handstand to kickstart the show. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2023 Vera, a retired gymnast, rates the dared woman’s handstand as quite decent, and then hearself is called and heartily creamed by the revolutionary fetish carnies. Matt Thompson, SPIN, 8 Nov. 2023 Youngsters can still see a glistening catfish, fresh out of water, or do a handstand in the local swimming hole, or watch a rodeo. Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2023 Another slide showed a video of the dancer holding a handstand and contorting her legs into various stretches in the air. Averi Kremposky, Peoplemag, 1 Aug. 2023 Check her out doing a picture-perfect handstand back in 2021: This content is imported from instagram. Korin Miller, Women's Health, 26 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'handstand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of handstand was in 1890

Dictionary Entries Near handstand

Cite this Entry

“Handstand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handstand. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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