gymnastic

1 of 2

adjective

gym·​nas·​tic jim-ˈna-stik 

: of or relating to gymnastics : athletic

gymnastically

jim-ˈna-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

gymnastic

2 of 2

noun

1

gymnastics jim-ˈna-stiks  plural in form but singular in construction

a

: physical exercises designed to develop strength and coordination

b

: a competitive sport in which individuals perform optional and prescribed acrobatic feats mostly on special apparatus in order to demonstrate strength, balance, and body control

2

: an exercise in intellectual or artistic dexterity

My earlier philosophic study had been an intellectual gymnastic.

—John Dewey

mental gymnastics

3

: a physical feat or contortion

… did not lend itself to the gymnastics of break dancing.

—Tony Karon

Examples of gymnastic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Only true love can make a six-time Super Bowl champion coach spend an offseason Saturday dressed like that at an adult gymnastic competitionthat an adult gymnastic competition. —Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

More intricate knots can be designed to untie in stages, resulting in sequential movements similar to a gymnastic routine. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026

Noun

Realness and rawness Biles has openly and honestly shared her struggles with mental health since taking time away from gymnastics following the tumult of the Tokyo Olympics. —Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026

Iowa State canceled its gymnastics program in February, but the Cyclones had a number of issues internally. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1574, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for gymnastic

• aplastic
• bombastic
• dynastic
• dysplastic
• elastic
• fantastic
• monastic
• sarcastic
• scholastic
• silastic
• stochastic
• aeroelastic