pirouette

noun

pir·​ou·​ette ˌpir-ə-ˈwet How to pronounce pirouette (audio)
Synonyms of pirouettenext
: 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 perfect pirouette and lofted finish against Sunderland in the FA Cup third round in 1997. The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 On Tuesday, Sasha De Sola, an old pro in the role, danced it with ravishing self-possession, hardly seeming to need the support of her consort Harrison James, who exuded the corn-fed charm of a linebacker while delivering cleanly polished grande pirouettes. Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Feb. 2026 The history of Olympic figure skating is shaped almost as much by epic falls as by soaring pirouettes. Brian Mann, NPR, 7 Feb. 2026 The triad moves across the grey room in a dizzying chain of matching pirouettes, drawing a slow circle one after another as arpeggiating harp fills the bare space with sound. Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026 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 29 Mar. 2026.

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

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