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

… did not lend itself to the gymnastics of break dancing.

—Tony Karon

Examples of gymnastic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In posts shared on X and YouTube, the Institute explained that the gymnastic maneuvers shown in recent videos and the natural walking gait demonstrated at CES 2026 are produced by the same learning framework, rather than separate systems, reports Humanoids Daily. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026

Audiences are demanding more and more gymnastic, acrobatic things. —Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 8 Feb. 2026

Noun

To find out exactly how horses pull off these impressive acoustical gymnastics, Elodie and her team ran a series of unusual experiments. —Liz Neporent, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026

North/Tartan senior Sydney Johnson captivated the crowd and captured two individual titles in the Class 2A state gymnastics meet Saturday afternoon at Roy Wilkins Auditorium. —Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 21 Feb. 2026

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