somersault
noun
som·er·sault ˈsə-mər-ˌsȯlt 
variants or less commonly summersault
: a movement (as in gymnastics) in which a person turns forward or backward in a complete revolution along the ground or in the air bringing the feet over the head
also : a falling or tumbling head over heels
somersault intransitive verb
Example Sentences
The gymnast turned a somersault.
Recent Examples on the Web His somersault into the end zone for the game-winning TD remains an iconic moment. 
Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2022 Lessard secured his win on his last dive, a back somersault with a full twist. Randy Mcroberts, Baltimore Sun, 8 Aug. 2022 At Calgary, Hedberg earned 10s from six of seven judges on his reverse 3 ½ somersault tuck off 10-meter. David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 17 June 2022 At the 2019 world championships, Biles debuted a double twisting double somersault for her balance beam dismount, which was then named after her. New York Times, 24 July 2021 Carrillo’s form was impeccable on his final dive, an inward 2 1/2 somersault with a 3.1 degree of difficulty. Matt Le Cren, chicagotribune.com, 1 Mar. 2022 His hardest dive currently is a front somersault with three twists. Lori Riley, courant.com, 9 Feb. 2022 Robinson then celebrated with a somersault and a back handspring. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2022 The cuddly panda, Xiao Qi Ji, is seen trotting through the snow before doing an impressive somersault in an Instagram clip shared by the Washington, D.C., zoo Monday. Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE.com, 5 Jan. 2022 See More
Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2022 Lessard secured his win on his last dive, a back somersault with a full twist. Randy Mcroberts, Baltimore Sun, 8 Aug. 2022 At Calgary, Hedberg earned 10s from six of seven judges on his reverse 3 ½ somersault tuck off 10-meter. David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 17 June 2022 At the 2019 world championships, Biles debuted a double twisting double somersault for her balance beam dismount, which was then named after her. New York Times, 24 July 2021 Carrillo’s form was impeccable on his final dive, an inward 2 1/2 somersault with a 3.1 degree of difficulty. Matt Le Cren, chicagotribune.com, 1 Mar. 2022 His hardest dive currently is a front somersault with three twists. Lori Riley, courant.com, 9 Feb. 2022 Robinson then celebrated with a somersault and a back handspring. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2022 The cuddly panda, Xiao Qi Ji, is seen trotting through the snow before doing an impressive somersault in an Instagram clip shared by the Washington, D.C., zoo Monday. Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE.com, 5 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle French sombresaut leap, ultimately from Latin super over + saltus leap, from salire to jump — more at over, sally
First Known Use
circa 1530, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
somersault 1 of 2
noun
som·er·sault
ˈsə-mər-ˌsȯlt
: a movement in which someone makes a complete turn by bringing the feet over the head
somersault
2 of 2verb
somersaulted; somersaulting
: to perform a movement in which a person makes a complete turn by bringing the feet over the head
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