trapeze

noun

tra·​peze tra-ˈpēz 

 also  trə-

: a gymnastic or acrobatic apparatus consisting of a short horizontal bar suspended by two parallel ropes

Examples of trapeze in a Sentence

performing tricks on the trapeze

Recent Examples on the Web

Ringside serves dishes like smoked Gulf Coast shrimp and seafood towers against a backdrop of velvet drapery, larger-than-life murals depicting trapeze artists and performers, and a striped arch ceiling that recalls a Big Top tent. —Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2025

Pilots could use them to practice launching from the USS Macon’s trapezes before real operations with the Sparrowhawks. —Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2025

During a Zoom interview, Maury Purnell, 85, hangs in the air, firmly grasping a trapeze bar, answering questions and smiling, no less. —Matt Fuchs, Time, 30 Apr. 2025

Some playgrounds feature climbable, multistory platforms, while others incorporate gymnastics equipment like rings or trapeze bars. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French trapèze, literally, trapezoid, from New Latin trapezium

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for trapeze

• agrees
• appease
• bailees
• bougies
• burmese
• chemise
• chickpeas
• chinese
• cowpeas
• curies
• decrees
• degrees

Kids Definition

trapeze

noun

tra·​peze tra-ˈpēz 

: a gymnastic or acrobatic device consisting of a short horizontal bar hung from two parallel ropes