somersault

noun

som·er·sault | \ˈsə-mər-ˌsȯlt

variants: or less commonly summersault

Definition of somersault

: a movement (as in gymnastics) in which a person turns forward or backward in a complete revolution along the ground or in the air bringing the feet over the head also : a falling or tumbling head over heels

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Examples of somersault in a Sentence

The gymnast turned a somersault.

Recent Examples on the Web

Joan's younger childlike moves have now been replaced by a physicality represented in somersaults, cartwheels, kicks and twirls. — Robert Abele, latimes.com, "Bruno Dumont's 'Jeannette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc' riffs on future saint as proto-punk," 3 May 2018 Finn Murphy, Highlands Murphy nailed an inward 2 1/2 somersault dive to come from behind and claim the state title in 1-meter diving. — Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati.com, "Pool of champions: Here are the Greater Cincinnati area's swimming and diving champions," 22 Feb. 2018 There were a couple of times when goal scorers did somersaults. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, "The World Cup of Boring Celebrations," 13 July 2018 As for the 12-guest skyboxes, which offer aerial views of dancers turning somersaults on poles below? — Frances Stead Sellers, chicagotribune.com, "Stormy Daniels to visit Washington this week — for a strip-club show," 8 July 2018 Between Leonore's stunt, Princess Charlotte's somersaults, and Prince George's antics with his cousin Savannah Phillips, royal kids are killing it this week. — Isabel Greenberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Princess Leonore of Sweden Was Literally on the Floor at Her Sister's Christening and It Was So Relatable," 14 June 2018 Victor Moses converted — and marked the goal with a somersault — to put Nigeria back in control of the race for second place in the group. — Washington Post, "Messi finally scores, Argentina advances at World Cup," 26 June 2018 Moses converted — and marked the goal with a somersault — to put Nigeria back in control of the race for second place in the group. — Steve Douglas, chicagotribune.com, "Lionel Messi, Argentina come alive to beat Nigeria 2-1 at World Cup," 26 June 2018 Which is when a player does a somersault on a throw-in. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, "Spain Overcomes Iran’s Stubborn Defense in the World Cup," 20 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'somersault.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.