Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of supporting yourself by your hands alone in an upside down position: A gymnastic or acrobatic feat where a person balances vertically upside down on their hands, with the feet in the air.

Usage

• The word "handstand" is used to describe the specific position or act itself. It is typically a countable noun.
• It is commonly used in contexts related to gymnastics, fitness, yoga, or playful physical activity.
• Example:

Examples

• Noun:
  • The gymnast began her routine with a perfect handstand.
  • Learning to do a handstand requires good upper body strength and balance.
  • He fell over while attempting a handstand against the wall.

Advanced Usage

• "to do a handstand": This is the most common collocation for performing the feat.
  • The children were showing off by doing handstands on the lawn.
• "to hold/maintain a handstand": Used to describe sustaining the upside-down position.
  • Her goal is to hold a freestanding handstand for one full minute.
• "to kick up into a handstand": Describes the dynamic movement of entering the position.
  • From a standing position, she kicked up into a handstand effortlessly.

Variants and Related Words

• Handstand push-up (n): An advanced strength exercise where a person performs a push-up while in a handstand position, often against a wall for support.
  • He incorporates handstand push-ups into his workout for shoulder development.
• One-handed handstand (n): A more difficult variation of the handstand performed while balancing on one hand.
  • The circus performer amazed the crowd with a one-handed handstand.

Synonyms

• Inversion: A broader term for any position where the head is below the heart, which includes a handstand.
• Upside-down balance: A descriptive phrase for the act.

Related Phrases

• Walk on your hands: A related skill involving moving while in a handstand position.
  • After mastering the handstand, he learned to walk on his hands.

Noun

1. the act of supporting yourself by your hands alone in an upside down position