aerialist

/ˈɛriələst/

Other forms: aerialists

An aerialist is an acrobat who specializes in mid-air tricks, like trapeze performances. If you go to the circus, you'll get to watch aerialists flying through the air.

Trapeze artists, aerial hoop acrobats, and other mid-air performers can all be called aerialists. They are distinguished from dancers, tumblers, and gymnasts by the fact that audiences have to look up to watch aerialists perform. Aerialist comes from the Latin word aerius, "airy, lofty, or high," from the Greek aerios, "of the air."

Definitions of aerialist

1. noun

   an acrobat who performs in the air (as on a rope or trapeze)
   types:

   ropedancer, ropewalker

   an acrobat who performs on a rope stretched at some height above the ground

   type of:

   acrobat

   an athlete who performs acts requiring skill and agility and coordination