parallel bars

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

par′allel bars′, 

1. Sport a gymnasium apparatus consisting of two wooden bars on uprights, adjustable in height, and used for swinging, vaulting, balancing exercises, etc.

• 1865–70

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

parallel bars noun:plural

1. (functioning as plural) a pair of wooden bars on uprights, sometimes at different heights, for various exercises
2. (functioning as singular) an event in a gymnastic competition in which competitors exercise on such bars