cartwheel

/ˌkɑrtˈwil/

/ˌkɑrtˈhwil/

/ˈkɑtwil/

Other forms: cartwheels; cartwheeling; cartwheeled

A cartwheel is a gymnastics move in which you stand sideways, put one hand and then the other on the ground, flip your legs straight up into the air, and then land your feet one at a time as you stand up straight.

If you do a perfect cartwheel, your body appears to rotate (like a wheel). You can think of it as a kind of sideways somersault, and it's a move that shows up on playgrounds, in gymnastics and capoeira competitions, and in dance and cheerleading. Cartwheel, which prior to the 19th century simply meant "wheel on a cart," can also be used as a verb: "The birthday party guests were cartwheeling wildly around the yard."

Definitions of cartwheel

1. noun

   a wheel that has wooden spokes and a metal rim
   type of:

   wheel

   a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
2. noun

   acrobatic revolutions with the body turned sideways and the arms and legs outstretched like the spokes of a wheel
   type of:

   acrobatic feat, acrobatic stunt

   a stunt performed by an acrobat
3. verb

   do cartwheels: perform an acrobatic movement using both hands and feet
   type of:

   wheel, wheel around

   change directions as if revolving on a pivot
4. noun

   a dollar made of silver
   synonyms: silver dollar

   type of:

   dollar

   a United States coin worth one dollar