somersault

play

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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somersault

intransitive verb

See somersault defined for English-language learners

See somersault defined for kids

Examples of somersault in a Sentence

The gymnast turned a somersault.

Recent Examples of somersault from the Web

Of course, those memories typically involved double-bounces, synchronized somersaults, and front flips with friends—not repeated tiny bounces, squats, and plyometrics that leave me dry-heaving and sweating profusely.

— julia sullivan, SELF, "I Tried 9 Unique Workout Classes to Try to Break Out of My Fitness Rut," 25 Aug. 2017
In the video—which gives new meaning to #girlpower—Lovato pulls Martin down and somersaults on top of her, eventually pinning the former world champion to the mat with her legs.

— evin billington, Health.com, "Demi Lovato Looks Like a Total Badass in Her Latest Kickboxing Video," 16 Aug. 2017
Within seconds the soldier fell, the metal collapsing as the statute did a somersault against the stone pedestal.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "Protesters Pull Down Confederate Statue in North Carolina," 15 Aug. 2017
Now imagine, having to do that while your brain was turning somersaults until your head ached.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Because of Obamacare, I Write for The Root," 27 July 2017
Parratto, a 2016 Olympian, was using the meet to get exposure for one of the world’s most difficult dives, a 3 ½ back somersault in pike position.

— david woods, Indianapolis Star, "IU diver Jessica Parratto takes 11th at World Championships," 19 July 2017
Corona's shot hit Villafana and bounced up to Dwyer, who volleyed in with his left foot from 8 yards, then did a backward somersault.

— ronald blum, chicagotribune.com, "U.S. beats Ghana 2-1 in lone friendly ahead of Gold Cup," 1 July 2017
From there, Joker is an entertaining if remarkably brief series of somersaults and sudden drops that defies you to orient your location on the map of Gurnee.

— dan moran, chicagotribune.com, "Moran: Taking a rolling tumble aboard The Joker," 26 May 2017
The new ride at Six Flags Great America is like being a kid and doing somersaults — but on a roller coaster.

— emily coleman, Lake County News-Sun, "Riders get first go at Six Flags Great America's new free fly coaster The Joker," 25 May 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of somersault

Middle French sombresaut leap, ultimately from Latin super over + saltus leap, from salire to jump — more at over, sally

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1530

See Words from the same year

SOMERSAULT Defined for English Language Learners

somersault

play

noun

Definition of somersault for English Language Learners

: a forward or backward movement of your body on the ground or in the air that is made by bringing your feet over your head

SOMERSAULT Defined for Kids

somersault

noun som·er·sault \ ˈsə-mər-ˌsȯlt \

Definition of somersault for Students

:a movement in which someone makes a complete turn by bringing the feet over the head

History for somersault

If you pay attention only to its sound, somersault is rather puzzling, because going head over heels has nothing to do with summer or salt. The spelling, however, suggests that the key to its history lies elsewhere. Somersault comes from a 16th-century French word sombresaut, made up of sombre or sobre, “over,” and saut, “jump.”