figure eight

noun

: something resembling the Arabic numeral eight in form or shape: such as

a

: a small knot see knot illustration

b

: an embroidery stitch

c

: a dance pattern

d

: a skater's figure

called also figure-of-eight

Examples of figure eight in a Sentence

The skater traced a figure eight on the ice.

Recent Examples on the Web

The center of the Milky Way is barely noticeable to the right of center in the map, just below a small blob that resembles a sideways figure eight. —Dennis Overbye, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

With your chest forward, make a figure eight, looping around the blocks. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 3 Jan. 2024

Together, the interplay of the two round mechanisms creates the subtle shape of a figure eight as a nod to the brand’s 8th Fundamental Invention. —Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2023

Take in as much of the land as possible by combining hiking trails to form a figure eight around the park. —Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 10 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above