backflip

noun

back·​flip ˈbak-ˌflip How to pronounce backflip (audio)
: a backward somersault especially in the air

Examples of backflip in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Sure, one robot landed a backflip—but then a piece of it broke off and flew toward the crowd. Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 In 1997, Steve-O burned his face while attempting a fire-breathing backflip for the cult skateboarding publication Big Brother, putting him on the map in the world of stunts. Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026 John Koetsier The new flex in humanoid robotics isn’t a backflip or a dance routine. John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 The company added that Atlas’s athletic feats, including handstands and backflips, serve a practical purpose by helping develop balance, agility, slip recovery, and endurance needed for real-world industrial environments. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for backflip

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of backflip was in 1904

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Cite this Entry

“Backflip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backflip. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

backflip

noun
back·​flip -ˌflip How to pronounce backflip (audio)
: a backward somersault especially in the air
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