handspring

noun

hand·​spring ˈhan(d)-ˌspriŋ How to pronounce handspring (audio)
: an acrobatic feat in which the body turns forward or backward in a full circle from a standing position and lands first on the hands and then on the feet

Examples of handspring in a Sentence

He did a handspring on the lawn.
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.
Keegan obliged and then made the stage his personal dance floor, showing off his best dance moves and even doing a couple of front aerials, back handsprings and splits. — Charna Flam, People.com, 27 June 2025 Just consider Robyn, who attempted to impress Sean Lowe with a pair of back handsprings. — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025 Kiana James Tiffany Stratton pulled out an impressive handspring stunner on Kiana James. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026 On the vault, Bell performed a Yurchenko full, a roundoff onto the springboard, a back handspring onto the vault table and then a flip off the apparatus with a full twist. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handspring

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of handspring was in 1833

Rhymes for handspring

See All Rhymes for handspring

Browse Nearby Words

handspoke
handspring
hand stack
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handspring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handspring. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

handspring

noun
hand·​spring ˈhan(d)-ˌspriŋ How to pronounce handspring (audio)
: a tumbling feat in which the body turns in a full circle from a standing position and lands first on the hands and then on the feet

More from Merriam-Webster on handspring

Nglish: Translation of handspring for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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