Word
trapeze
US/tɹəˈpiz/
UK/tɹəpˈiːz/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a short bar hanging from two ropes high above the ground. You see circus performers use it to swing through the air and perform tricks.
n. a short horizontal bar suspended by two parallel ropes, used by acrobats and gymnasts for aerial performances. Often used in the context of circus arts or competitive gymnastics.
Examples
“The acrobat caught the trapeze just in time.”
“The circus performer swung gracefully from one trapeze to another, high above the safety net.”
“Mastering the flying trapeze requires not only immense physical strength and coordination but also a profound level of trust between the flyer and the catcher.”
Examples
simple
“The acrobat caught the trapeze just in time.”
contextual
“The circus performer swung gracefully from one trapeze to another, high above the safety net.”
complex
“Mastering the flying trapeze requires not only immense physical strength and coordination but also a profound level of trust between the flyer and the catcher.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “trapeze” in context.
Verb
01. catch trapeze
“He reached out his hands, desperate to catch the trapeze before falling.”
verb + noun
02. mount trapeze
“The performer used a rope ladder to mount the trapeze high above the ring.”
verb + noun
03. release trapeze
“The gymnast must release the trapeze at the exact peak of the arc.”
verb + noun
04. swing on
“The acrobat began to swing on the trapeze to build momentum for the jump.”
verb + prep
Adjective
05. flying trapeze
“The circus audience gasped as the performer let go of the flying trapeze.”
adj + noun
06. static trapeze
“Static trapeze requires immense upper body strength to hold poses while the bar is still.”
adj + noun
07. swinging trapeze
“She practiced her timing on the swinging trapeze for months before the show.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. trapeze act
“The high-flying trapeze act was the highlight of the evening.”
noun + noun
09. trapeze artist
“The trapeze artist performed a triple somersault without a safety net.”
noun + noun
10. fall from the trapeze
“Safety nets are essential in case a performer falls from the trapeze.”
11. perform on the trapeze
“She has been training to perform on the trapeze since she was a child.”
12. swing from a trapeze
“The stuntman had to swing from a trapeze for the action sequence.”
Usage
Commonly appears in the phrase 'flying trapeze' to describe the specific circus discipline.
Real-World Examples
“The two women, along with La Rose, ascended to the trapezes as another troupe member entertained as a clown below.” “While swinging on the trapeze offers an enjoyable and core-strengthening alternative to traditional workouts, Jessica Matthews from the American Council on Exercise warns that it may not suit everyone.” “The flying trapeze, which gained popularity over a century ago thanks to the French acrobat Jules Leotard—who also inspired the name of his signature costume—was first introduced as a leisure activity Club Med the Bahian island Eleuthera 15 years ago.” “Therefore the firemen of the great cities of France spend much time in their gymnasiums, drilling with parallel bars, flying rings, trapezes, and other apparatus, and also in the simple calisthenics that are familiar in schools.” Etymology
From French trapèze, which arrived via Latin trapezium. The word is a doublet of trapezium.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/trapeze