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

Stanley cup lead lawsuit Since then, two women have initiated class-action lawsuits – one in California, the other in Nevada – against Stanley over concerns about potential lead in the tumblers. —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024

Adele carried a Stanley tumbler while filming the final Carpool Karaoke segment with James Corden; Jennifer Lawrence uses the brand Hydro Flask, and Oprah recommended a new Corkcicle tumbler on her 2023 Favorite Things List. —Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 2 Feb. 2024

There was a similar phenomenon earlier this year with Stanley water bottles and the ravenous consumption of its tumblers. —Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

The Stanley tumblers have become a sensation, as well as a source of confusion for those who don’t understand their popularity. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024

Target has new Stanley tumblers for fans to go crazy over. —Ana Calderone, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024

In December, Target introduced a limited-edition Valentine’s Day collection of Stanley tumblers. —Eva Rothenberg, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024

However, the suit alleges, if the tumbler is damaged or worn, the seal can break and potentially expose the user to lead. —Rob Wile, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2024

Pearl members also receive a Castaway Club lanyard denoting their tiered status, a tote bag, a wet/dry bag, and the beach towel and room service offerings provided to lower tiers, plus a pair of insulated stemless flute tumblers. —Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 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