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

This 22-ounce tumbler is marked down under $20 (which is how much a tumbler should be, honestly). —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2026

Upon arrival, her friends were gifted red tumblers customized with their initials bedazzled in white. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 30 Mar. 2026

This tumbler’s design pays homage to the original Barbie doll, manufactured in 1959 and wearing a black-and-white vintage chevron swimsuit. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

Three drinkware collections including cold cups, tumblers and more, decorated with cauldrons, wands and owls. —Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Mar. 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