1
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
Examples of tumbler in a Sentence
She drank a tumbler of water.
a gymnast who's a skillful tumbler
Recent Examples on the Web
This year, Crawley said the goal was to make over 2,000 cookies, along with gift sets that include a customized tumbler, hot cocoa, holiday lip balm, lotion and a candy cane, for 100 older adults in the community.
—
Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 23 Dec. 2025
This 12-ounce stainless steel Owala coffee tumbler fits inside cupholders as well as tote bags with drink sleeves.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
Our list of top Kate Spade gift finds spans cute accessories, drinkware like tumblers and travel mugs, stunning jewelry, and even a planner for the upcoming year.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2025
Think cozy Dearfoams slippers, genius Bagsmart organizers, stylish Corkcicle tumblers, and more.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tumbler
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Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 23 Dec. 2025
This 12-ounce stainless steel Owala coffee tumbler fits inside cupholders as well as tote bags with drink sleeves.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
Our list of top Kate Spade gift finds spans cute accessories, drinkware like tumblers and travel mugs, stunning jewelry, and even a planner for the upcoming year.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2025
Think cozy Dearfoams slippers, genius Bagsmart organizers, stylish Corkcicle tumblers, and more.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tumbler
Cite this Entry
“Tumbler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tumbler. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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