high jump

¹

noun

, Track.

1. a field event in which athletes, using a running start, compete in jumping for height over a crossbar supported by two upright poles.
2. a jump for height made in this event.

high-jump

²

[ hahy-juhmp ]

verb (used without object)

1. to participate in the high jump; compete as a high jumper.

verb (used with object)

1. to clear or attempt to clear (a specified height) in a high jump:

   a goal of high-jumping his own height.

high jump

noun

1. 1. an athletic event in which a competitor has to jump over a high bar set between two vertical supports
   2. ( as modifier )

      high-jump techniques

2. be for the high jump informal.
   to be liable to receive a severe reprimand or punishment

Derived Forms

• high jumping, noun
• high jumper, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of high jump¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Origin of high jump²

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Easter went to the prestigious Saint Jago high school in Spanish Town and was often featured in the local paper for his talent in track and field, especially the high jump.

From Outside Online

The track coaches called sometimes to ask her to step in on the high jump.

From Washington Post

When he was 2, the family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, and Bachelor grew to become a sports star in the high jump.

From The Daily Beast

I think Tom must have made a new record for himself in the running high jump when he broke away from his ring-tailed antagonist.

From Project Gutenberg

If you can beat me nearly a foot and a half at the running broad jump, you ought to be able to beat me at the high jump.

From Project Gutenberg

He and Bunny were walking toward the competitors for the high jump.

From Project Gutenberg

Amid the yells of the Jovians, Capellus of the corps had carried off both the long and the high jump.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a high jump, with many chances in favor of their breaking their necks, or at least a limb or two.

From Project Gutenberg

More About High Jump

What is the high jump?

The high jump is a track-and-field competition in which athletes attempt to complete the highest jump over a crossbar. An attempt in this event (the jump itself) is also called a high jump.

In the high jump, a competitor (called a high jumper) must jump from one foot and must not cause the crossbar to fall—or else the attempt does not count. Each high jumper can opt to make the bar higher to complete a jump that’s higher than their competitors’ highest jump. They usually get three attempts to complete a jump.

There are different high jump techniques, but the most popular involves the high jumper running toward the bar, turning as they jump, leaping over the bar backward, and arching their back in a way that avoids hitting the bar.

High jump is a track-and-field event in the summer Olympic Games (the Summer Games) and it is also part of the modern decathlon.

The high jump should not be confused with the long jump, which is a track-and-field (and decathlon) event in which athletes attempt to jump as far as possible. The pole vault also involves clearing a cross bar at the highest possible height, but pole vaulters do this by vaulting themselves into the air with a pole.

Example: If she completes her next attempt, she will set a new world record in the high jump.

Where does high jump come from?

The first records of the term high jump as a name for the track-and-field event come from the late 1800s. The names of other track-and-field events use the word jump in the same way, including long jump and triple jump.

In the 1800s, high jump competitions gained popularity in Scotland with events like the Highland Games incorporating track-and-field events like it. From 1896 to 1912, there were two separate Olympic events known as the high jump. One involved athletes jumping from a standing position, and the other, called the running high jump, was the one that we now know as the high jump. In 1912, the standing version of the high jump was discontinued. In 1928, the Olympic high jump event was opened to female athletes.

The high jump has changed over time. Prior to the 1950s, athletes were allowed to wear shoes that added additional height. Before the 1960s, most high jumpers jumped over the crossbar vertically or head first, into a landing area that consisted of sand, dirt, or turf. Eventually, a cushioned landing area was introduced, and the backward leap technique became the dominant method. It is sometimes known as the Fosbury flop, after high jumper Dick Fosbury, who perfected the technique.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to high jump?

• high jumper (noun)

What are some words that share a root or word element with high jump? 

• high
• jump
• long jump
• triple jump

What are some words that often get used in discussing high jump?

• Fosbury flop
• attempt
• crossbar
• disqualify
• vertical
• leap
• height

What are some words high jump may be commonly confused with?

• long jump

How is high jump used in real life?

Most people are familiar with the high jump as a track-and-field event at the Summer Olympics.

The three best high jump clearances in Olympic competition

1: Charles Austin 🇺🇸 2.39m

=2: Hennadiy Avdyeyenko 🇺🇦, @ddrouin10 🇨🇦 2.38mpic.twitter.com/6MpizY7upB

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) July 4, 2019

SO SO HAPPY to get European gold in the high jump 🇬🇧 Thank you to everyone who has helped me so far this season 💞☺️🏆

— Morgan Lake (@morgan_a_lake) July 19, 2015

James Harris just broke FSU indoor high jump mark with 2.27 (7-5.25) clearance – No. 2 in nation #Noles

— Florida State T&F/XC (@FSU_Track) January 25, 2014

Try using high jump!

True or False?

In the high jump, the high jumper is allowed to touch the bar as long as they don’t knock it down.