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

Made in Poland from heavy mouth-blown, lead-free crystal, this carafe and tumbler set looks beautiful on a bedside table or sideboard. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

Son apologized for the campaign and tumbler name choice before his dismissal and pledged company-wide training on historical awareness and ethics. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 15 June 2026

The Oasis tumbler has a double-wall insulated stainless steel interior that’s made to keep drinks cool for up to 24 hours. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 June 2026

The mess tent is filled with oil portraits, crystal whisky tumblers, antique teak dressers and carefully collected safari memorabilia. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

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