1 trapeze | Definition of trapeze

trapeze

noun
tra·​peze | \ tra-ˈpēz also trə- How to pronounce trapeze (audio) \

Definition of trapeze

: a gymnastic or acrobatic apparatus consisting of a short horizontal bar suspended by two parallel ropes

Examples of trapeze in a Sentence

performing tricks on the trapeze

Recent Examples on the Web

Ava, a trapeze and fabric artist, also performed during the Master Youth Intensive. — Ramona Sentinel, "Lora Kapelczak flies high as an aerial acrobat artist," 29 Aug. 2019 The floor of Bunny Christie’s ostensibly naked green set cracks open to produce a crop of four-posters with plump pillows, mattresses and sheets that turn into trapezes. — Ben Brantley, New York Times, "The Restorative Power of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’," 7 Aug. 2019 In his shows, Herzog’s marionettes roller skate, do ballet, try to charm a snake out of a basket, swing on a flying trapeze and gingerly walk a tight rope. — Kimberly Fornek, chicagotribune.com, "Marionettes that dance, roller skate and swing on a trapeze visit Hinsdale Library," 30 July 2019 The dancers use ropes, silks, a trapeze, a giant hoop, a parachute, big balloons and other equipment and props to produce a real wow factor. — oregonlive.com, "West Linn dance-in-the-park show mixes aerial feats, circus arts," 29 July 2019 An acrobat descends from the trapeze, soon riding on another performer’s shoulders. — Christopher Arnott, courant.com, "Review: Inside Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Luzia’ tent, you’ll find pure enchantment," 20 June 2019 Springboards, rings, a trapeze and floats were provided, and the pool hosted water polo, water baseball and water basketball games. — Dawn Mitchell, Indianapolis Star, "Diving into history: Indianapolis' first municipal pool was in use more than a century ago," 29 Mar. 2019 Women in summer dresses swing on trapezes in the rain. — Christopher Arnott, courant.com, "Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Luzia’: A watery wonderland under the big top making its way to Hartford’s Market Street," 6 June 2019 Ball’s discipline, called aerial circus and popularized by Cirque du Soleil, entails doing tricks on fabric, rope, trapeze, hoop, or other apparatuses suspended in the air. — Susie Armitage, SELF, "This Is How an Aerial Performer Restarted Her Career After Having Both Feet Amputated," 23 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trapeze.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of trapeze

1861, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for trapeze

French trapèze, literally, trapezoid, from New Latin trapezium

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More Definitions for trapeze

trapeze

noun

English Language Learners Definition of trapeze

: a short bar that is hung high above the ground by two ropes and that is held by circus performers who perform athletic tricks on it

trapeze

noun
tra·​peze | \ tra-ˈpēz How to pronounce trapeze (audio) \

Kids Definition of trapeze

: a short horizontal bar hung from two parallel ropes and used by acrobats

More from Merriam-Webster on trapeze

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with trapeze

Spanish Central: Translation of trapeze

Nglish: Translation of trapeze for Spanish Speakers