tumbling

1 of 3

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 3

adjective

: tipped or slanted out of the vertical

—used especially of a cattle brand

tumbling

3 of 3

present participle of tumble entry 1

Examples of tumbling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The opportunity was exciting to say the least, tumbling coach Emmanuel McGhee previously told the Tribune, between the opportunity itself and the opportunity to share the team’s story with a wider audience. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Launching into her massive tumbling, Esponda landed without a flicker. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 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