jumping jack

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

jump′ing jack′, 

1. a toy consisting of a jointed figure that is made to jump, move, or dance by pulling a string or stick attached to it.
2. Games, Sport a conditioning exercise performed by starting from a standing position with legs together and arms resting at the sides and then jumping to a position with the legs spread apart and out to the sides while simultaneously extending the arms out from the sides to an overhead position with the hands touching and finishing by reversing these movements to return to the starting position.
• 1860–65, American.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

jumping jack noun

1. a toy figure of a man with jointed limbs that can be moved by pulling attached strings