tumbler

noun

tum·​bler ˈtəm-blər 

1

: one that tumbles: such as

a

: one who performs tumbling feats : acrobat

b

: any of various domestic pigeons that tumble or roll over backward in flight or on the ground

2

: a drinking glass without foot or stem and originally with pointed or convex base

3

a

: a movable obstruction in a lock (such as a lever, latch, wheel, slide, or pin) that must be adjusted to a particular position (as by a key) before the bolt can be thrown

b

: a piece on which the mainspring acts in a gun's lock

4

: a device or mechanism for tumbling (such as a revolving cage in which clothes are dried)

5

: a worker who operates a tumbler

tumblerful

ˈtəm-blər-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Examples of tumbler in a Sentence

She drank a tumbler of water.

a gymnast who's a skillful tumbler

Recent Examples on the Web

Sitting there at his desk, his tumbler full of water again, covered by light lace, Chitol often mulled over the contradiction in his circumstances. —Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026

The backpack also has a tumbler securing belt and pockets to fit the company’s IceFlow, Quencher or Vitalize Shaker bottle and places to store sweaty gym clothes. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026

To Prevent Structural Damage Insulated Mugs & Cups Your favorite and most trusted travel tumbler or mug might not be airtight after a couple of visits to the dishwasher. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026

All of the tumblers, mugs and cold cups reflect the 1971 theme of Starbucks' founding (available while supplies last). —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tumbler

noun

tum·​bler ˈtəm-blər 

1

: a person (as an acrobat) who tumbles

2

: a pigeon that often tumbles backward in flight

3

: a drinking glass

a water tumbler

4

: a movable part in a lock that must be adjusted (as by a key) before the lock will open