dumbbell

noun

dumb·​bell ˈdəm-ˌbel How to pronounce dumbbell (audio)
1
: a short bar with weights at each end that is used usually in pairs for exercise
2
: a stupid person : dummy

Examples of dumbbell in a Sentence

I feel like a dumbbell for making such a stupid mistake. no, you're not a dumbbell—this is one of the hardest courses the school offers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This can be as simple as bodyweight movements, resistance bands or dumbbells, focusing on compound/functional movements like squats, pushes and pulls. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025 So instead of just doing the traditional dumbbell chest press in all your push workouts, for example, switch it up with other variations, like the incline press or the decline press. SELF, 23 Sep. 2025 Neatly stored inside the box, weight plates and dumbbell bars have their own racks, resistance bands and collars, and there’s even room for an exercise mat. New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025 In 2025, the largest recall reported to CPSC involved exercise equipment, specifically dumbbells. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dumbbell

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dumbbell was in 1775

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Cite this Entry

“Dumbbell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dumbbell. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

dumbbell

noun
dumb·​bell ˈdəm-ˌbel How to pronounce dumbbell (audio)
1
: a bar with weights at the ends that is usually used for exercise or building strength
2
: a stupid person : dummy entry 1

More from Merriam-Webster on dumbbell

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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