tumbler

noun

tum·​bler ˈtəm-blər How to pronounce tumbler (audio)
1
: one that tumbles: such as
a
: one who performs tumbling feats : acrobat
b
: any of various domestic pigeons that tumble or roll over backward in flight or on the ground
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
tumblerful noun

Examples of tumbler in a Sentence

She drank a tumbler of water. a gymnast who's a skillful tumbler
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mug $30 $26 Fellow This tumbler is sleeker than any cup needs to be, honestly. Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 31 Jan. 2025 The tumblers range from 12 to 20 ounces and come in a variety of different colors including white, black and green, the agency said. Karina Tsui, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024 Plus, the handle is 8 inches long, which works with deep bowls and on-the-go smoothie tumblers without creating a mess. Ali Faccenda, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024 For the past ten years, the room has filled with fans of Cirque’s unique mix of acrobats, tumblers, strong men and trapeze artists along with the central characters of the Joya story. Eric Fuller, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tumbler 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tumbler was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near tumbler

Cite this Entry

“Tumbler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tumbler. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

tumbler

noun
tum·​bler ˈtəm-blər How to pronounce tumbler (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on tumbler

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