axel

noun

ax·​el ˈak-səl  ˈäk- 

variants often Axel

: a jump in figure skating from the outer forward edge of one skate with 1½ turns taken in the air and a return to the outer backward edge of the other skate

Examples of axel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ilia Malinin on the pursuit of perfection Four-time national figure skating champion Ilia Malinin, the only person in the world to have landed a quad axel in competition, is the heavy favorite for gold at this year's Winter Olympics. —David Morgan, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026

The Russians had made a mistake, with Sikharulidze stumbling out of a double axel. —Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026

On the ice, Amber Glenn was putting together another brilliant free skate, landing the opening triple axel that has become her hallmark and eventually putting the final touches on a program destined to earn her a third consecutive U.S. Figure Skating title. —Dave Skretta, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026

Malinin holds the honor as the only skater ever to land a quad axel in competition, first accomplishing the feat in 2022. —Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Axel Paulsen †1938 Norwegian figure skater

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for axel

• axle
• docetaxel
• paclitaxel
• transaxle

Biographical Definition

Axel

biographical name

Ax·​el ˈak-səl 

Richard 1946–     American biochemist