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

The young content creator opened up the boxes to reveal what the actress sent: a pink tumbler cup and several plush items based on characters from Wicked and The Wizard of Oz, like the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, Elphaba, the Wizard of Oz, the Scarecrow. —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025

On sale for $27 off, this tumbler is equipped with a leak-resistant mag-slider top for easy sipping, durable stainless steel exterior, and double wall insulation that keeps iced drinks cold for up to two days. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025

The tumbler is also leakproof, and its narrow base is designed to fit most car cupholders. —Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025

Starting July 9, their popular insulated tumbler will hit ALDI Finds shelves with a design that closely mirrors the viral original. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 July 2025

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