noun
gymnastics
jihm-NAS-tihks
noun
1
A sport involving controlled, athletic movements that demand strength, flexibility, and balance.
"She has practised gymnastics since she was five years old."
2
Complex or impressive feats of skill, used figuratively.
"The lawyer performed some impressive mental gymnastics to justify the decision."
How to Use Gymnastics
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe sport of tumbling, vaulting and balance routines — or, figuratively, an impressively convoluted feat of reasoning ("mental gymnastics").
Common pairings
mental gymnastics
gymnastics competition
Word Forms
gymnastics plural
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Etymology
From Greek gymnastikos, related to gymnastes ("athlete"), from gymnos ("naked").