high jump

¹ American  

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.

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high-jump ² American  

[hahy-juhmp] / ˈhaɪˌdʒʌmp /

verb (used without object)

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

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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 British  

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. informal to be liable to receive a severe reprimand or punishment

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• high jumper noun
• high jumping noun

Etymology

Origin of high jump¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Origin of high-jump²

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

But success requires more than just a high jump -- it also needs to pass through that opening.

From Science Daily • Nov. 4, 2025

Divine Duruaku and Charlie Husbands agreed to share the men's high jump title after both cleared 2.14m, while Alessandro Schenini won the men's long jump with 7.85m in the first round.

From BBC • Aug. 2, 2025

Lake won the women's high jump as the only athlete to clear 1.96m in a field that included world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Olympic medallist Eleanor Patterson.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2025

Hernandez took gold in both the girls’ triple jump and girls’ high jump, and placed second in the girls’ long jump — but wasn’t alone in any of those spots.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2025

Fiona qualifies easily for the league finals in the 800 and the high jump.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen