pirouette

noun

pir·​ou·​ette ˌpir-ə-ˈwet How to pronounce pirouette (audio)
: a rapid whirling about of the body
especially : a full turn on the toe or ball of one foot in ballet
pirouette intransitive verb

Examples of pirouette in a Sentence

the elegant pirouettes of the prima ballerina the ballerina's perfectly executed pirouette
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.
The extraordinary footage, which Unitree Robotics shared on the its social media channels depicts the humanoid bot carrying out a series of complex movements, including pirouettes, dance routines, as well as incredible kickboxing skills. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025 Brown, who held the position from 1975 to 1983, was particularly prone to policy pirouettes, most spectacularly regarding Proposition 13, California’s iconic taxation limit. Dan Walters, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025 Before plying precious stones and metals, pirouettes and pointes were the means of expression for the Belgian. Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025 To the west, the London Eye pirouettes above the skyline—to the east, Shakespeare’s Globe serves legendary sonnets. Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pirouette

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, teetotum

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pirouette was in 1706

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pirouette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pirouette. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

pirouette

noun
pir·​ou·​ette ˌpir-ə-ˈwet How to pronounce pirouette (audio)
: a rapid whirling of the body
especially : a full turn on the toe or ball of one foot in ballet
pirouette verb

More from Merriam-Webster on pirouette

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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