trapeze: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to medium; specialized term.Formal/technical; common in entertainment and sports contexts.
Quick answer
What does “trapeze” mean?
A short horizontal bar suspended by two ropes or wires, used for acrobatic performances in circuses or gymnastics.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short horizontal bar suspended by two ropes or wires, used for acrobatic performances in circuses or gymnastics.
Can refer to the performance or act involving such equipment, or metaphorically to situations involving swinging, risk, or precarious balance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling; usage is consistent in both variants.
Connotations
Both associate with circus, acrobatics, and athletic performance.
Frequency
Equally infrequent in general language but common in specific domains like circus arts.
Grammar
How to Use “trapeze” in a Sentence
perform on a trapezeswing from a trapezeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “trapeze” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He learned to trapeze at the local circus school.
American English
- She trapezes professionally in Las Vegas shows.
adverb
British English
- She moved trapeze-like through the aerial routine.
American English
- He swung trapeze-style with impressive agility.
adjective
British English
- The trapeze equipment requires regular safety checks.
American English
- They enrolled in a trapeze class for fitness.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; occasionally used metaphorically for high-risk ventures or unstable situations.
Academic
Found in sports science, performance studies, or historical analyses of circus.
Everyday
Common in conversations about circus shows, gymnastics, or entertainment.
Technical
Specific to acrobatics equipment, training manuals, and performance terminology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “trapeze”
- Mispronouncing as /ˈtræpiːz/ instead of /trəˈpiːz/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A trapeze is a horizontal bar suspended by ropes, used primarily in acrobatic performances in circuses or gymnastics.
Yes, though infrequently, it can mean to perform on a trapeze, as in 'to trapeze'.
In British English, it is pronounced /trəˈpiːz/.
Russian speakers might confuse it with 'трапеция', which refers to a trapezoid shape in geometry, not the acrobatic equipment.
A short horizontal bar suspended by two ropes or wires, used for acrobatic performances in circuses or gymnastics.
Trapeze is usually formal/technical; common in entertainment and sports contexts. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “live on a trapeze (metaphor for a risky or unpredictable life)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'trap' + 'ease' – imagine easing into a swinging trap or bar.
Conceptual Metaphor
Life as a trapeze act, emphasizing balance, risk, and daring movements.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'trapeze' most commonly used?