dumbbell

[ duhm-bel ]

noun

1. a gymnastic apparatus consisting of two wooden or metal balls connected by a short bar serving as a handle, used as a weight for exercising.
2. a stupid person.

   Synonyms: dimwit, blockhead, fool, ignoramus, dunce

dumbbell

/ ˈdʌmˌbɛl /

noun

1. gymnastics weightlifting an exercising weight consisting of a single bar with a heavy ball or disc at either end
2. a small wooden object shaped like this used in dog training for the dog to retrieve
3. slang.
   a fool

Word History and Origins

Origin of dumbbell¹

First recorded in 1705–15; dumb + bell ¹

Example Sentences

In the first place, they were pulling six gees by using a primitive dumbbell configuration.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the shape of a dumbbell—two spheres joined together by a short middle bar.

From Project Gutenberg

And hanging on patrol over this polar basin were two more of the dumbbell ships.

From Project Gutenberg

Above it, they caught a flicker from the forest of masts and the glint from a dumbbell ship.

From Project Gutenberg

Of unusual shape, both round and flat, so a cross-section looks like a dumbbell with angular ends.

From Project Gutenberg