tumbling

1 of 2

noun

tum·​bling ˈtəm-b(ə-)liŋ 

: the skill, practice, or sport of executing gymnastic feats (such as somersaults and handsprings) without the use of apparatus

tumbling

2 of 2

adjective

: tipped or slanted out of the vertical

—used especially of a cattle brand

Examples of tumbling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Jake Rogers flew out to Ceddanne Rafaela, whose tumbling throw home was too late to prevent the run from scoring and rookie Kevin McGonigle’s RBI single plated Detroit’s fourth run before Bello finished the frame with a strikeout of Gleyber Torres. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026

Across the jagged volcanic landscape of spontaneous eruptions and tumbling detritus, a space of relative calm will invariably open up. —Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026

Adjective

In the last few weeks of 2022 alone, Giuliani generated one more tumbling wave of negative publicity. —John Marks, CNN, 7 Jan. 2023

The Senate majority leader represents the big-business wing of the Republican Party, and Wall Street, if the tumbling stock market is any indication, fears Trump’s protectionism will cause economic pain. —Jeet Heer, The New Republic, 5 Apr. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1604, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1916, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tumbling

• tumbling barrel
• tumbling verse

Rhymes for tumbling

• bumbling
• crumbling
• fumbling
• grumbling
• humbling
• mumbling
• rumbling
• stumbling