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

The French brand’s iconic tumblers hold special meaning for the singer, whose performance rituals have long involved a toast before or after a show with the crystal. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 12 Nov. 2025

This stainless-steel cocktail shaker merges two crowd favorites—cocktails and Yeti tumblers—into one highly giftable upgrade for any home bar. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 11 Nov. 2025

The exclusive Hello Kitty merchandise includes a plush, mug, tumbler, and more. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Throughout Monday's Raw, Pearce was shown backstage with a tumbler, pulling names out to create the matches. —Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025

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