axel
1 Americannoun
noun
noun
Usage
What does axel mean? An axel is a maneuver in figure skating. The skater leaps from the front outside edge of one skate, rotates 1 ½ times, and lands on the rear outside edge of the other skate.The axel, also known as the axel jump, is considered the most difficult of the six jumps in figure skating. A tripleaxel, where a skater rotates 3 ½ times, has a starting value of 8 points at the Olympics, compared to the 3.3 points given for a double (2 ½ rotations) axel.Example: The judges were impressed by the skater’s axel and her perfect landing after completing the spin.
Etymology
Origin of axel
First recorded in 1925–30; after Axel Paulsen (1855–1938), Norwegian figure skater, who popularized the maneuver
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Californian won her first senior US title aged 13, landing a rare triple axel jump and breaking Tara Lipinski's record to become the youngest national champion.
From Barron's
Despite suffering a heavy fall in the warm-up she attacked her free skate, including a triple axel to start then a complex triple loop and double axel sequence.
From BBC
Glenn became the first U.S. woman to land triple axels in both Olympic programs.
From Los Angeles Times
She aced her triple axel and got her combination jump.
From Los Angeles Times
Glenn’s program started almost flawlessly with a steady triple axel, but she popped her last jumping pass and earned zero points on it.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
