somersault

noun

som·​er·​sault ˈsə-mər-ˌsȯlt 

variants or less commonly summersault

: 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

somersault intransitive verb

Examples of somersault in a Sentence

The gymnast turned a somersault.

Recent Examples on the Web

The video splices clips of Gaga’s dancers doing backflips and somersaults while surrounding Gaga, before a cane choreography late in the song. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025

And in asking the question, would anyone seriously question a non-U.S. corporation for doing somersaults to enter the U.S. market? —John Tamny, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025

At one point, three young men carrying a boom box got on the train and took positions as if getting ready to put on a show that was most likely going to include somersaults. —James Barron, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025

These bots, which weigh less than a gram, feature flapping wings that not only allow for extended flights, but also increased agility – enough to pull off somersaults and trace infinity symbols in the air. —New Atlas, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for somersault

• millivolt
• thunderbolt
• alt
• fault
• gault
• halt
• malt
• sault
• vault
• walt
• asphalt
• assault

Kids Definition

somersault

1 of 2 noun

som·​er·​sault

ˈsəm-ər-ˌsȯlt

: a leap or roll in which a person turns heels over head

somersault

2 of 2 verb

: to perform a somersault

Etymology

from early French sombresaut "somersault," derived from Latin super "over" and saltus "leap," from salire "to jump" — related to resilient