gymnastic

1 of 2

adjective

gym·​nas·​tic jim-ˈna-stik 

: of or relating to gymnastics : athletic

gymnastically

jim-ˈna-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

gymnastic

2 of 2

noun

1

gymnastics jim-ˈna-stiks  plural in form but singular in construction

a

: physical exercises designed to develop strength and coordination

b

: a competitive sport in which individuals perform optional and prescribed acrobatic feats mostly on special apparatus in order to demonstrate strength, balance, and body control

2

: an exercise in intellectual or artistic dexterity

my earlier philosophic study had been an intellectual gymnastic

—John Dewey

mental gymnastics

3

: a physical feat or contortion

the gymnastics necessary for the killer to have swung from the fire escape

—E. D. Radin

Examples of gymnastic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The athlete, who was recently a cover star for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, was part of the LSU gymnastic team that took home the 2024 Collegiate National Championship — the first in the school’s history. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025

There’s a haunted quality, a gymnastic facility with language, an intellect like an impact driver. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025

Noun

The post spiraled into a public fallout, ending with Skinner largely withdrawing from involvement in online gymnastics commentary. —Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025

The news comes at a time when HBCU gymnastics remains fragile. —Oumou Fofana, Essence, 11 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1574, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for gymnastic

• aplastic
• bombastic
• dynastic
• dysplastic
• elastic
• fantastic
• monastic
• sarcastic
• scholastic
• silastic
• stochastic
• aeroelastic