headstand

American  

[hed-stand] / ˈhɛdˌstænd /

noun

1. an act or instance of supporting the body in a vertical position by balancing on the head usually with the aid of the hands.

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verb (used without object)

headstood, headstanding

1. to perform a headstand.

headstand British  

/ ˈhɛdˌstænd /

noun

1. the act or an instance of balancing on the head, usually with the hands as support

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Etymology

Origin of headstand

First recorded in 1930–35; head + stand

Example Sentences

Near the end, two explosive solos raise the temperature, each man trying to get something out in his own way — Pitts with a headstand, Fredericks bending back and circling the space with open arms.

From New York Times • Apr. 28, 2023

“Just like you are not going to be able to do a headstand in your first yoga session.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 26, 2023

“Also, if someone is on anticoagulants, a headstand is not a good idea,” says Timothy McCall, an internist and the author of “Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing.”

From Washington Post • Sep. 18, 2022

A feral Jake Gyllenhaal does a headstand on each crate.

From Slate • Aug. 26, 2021

She pushes off from her toes a little too hard, which sends her tiny body sailing past a headstand and into a backflop onto the hard floor.

From "Milkweed" by Jerry Spinelli