figure skating
noun
ice skating in which the skater traces intricate patterns on the ice.
a type of ice skating developed from this, emphasizing jumps, spins, and other movements that combine athletic skills and dance techniques.
a competitive sport in which the skater is required to execute school figures and to perform one or more original programs of difficult jumps, spins, etc., to a musical setting.
Origin of figure skating
First recorded in 1865–70
OTHER WORDS FROM figure skating
figure skater, nounWords nearby figure skating
figure of merit,
figure of speech,
figure on,
figure out,
figure skate,
figure skating,
figure up,
figure-ground,
figure-ground phenomenon,
figured,
figured bass
Example sentences from the Web for figure skating
But the piano playing, figure-skating, sports enthusiast Soviet expert has never been just another anything.
This is the place for figure-skating; the ice is perfect, and the wind cannot interfere with the balance.
The Hills and the Vale |Richard JefferiesSahwah realized that she was figure-skating on thin ice when she mentioned that subject and forebore to make any further remarks.
The Camp Fire Girls Do Their Bit |Hildegard G. FreyOnce a Finnish lady went over to Paris and received the sum of £120 a month for giving entertainments in figure-skating.
Through Finland in Carts |Ethel Brilliana Alec-Tweedie
British Dictionary definitions for figure skating
figure skating
noun
ice skating in which the skater traces outlines of selected patterns
the whole art of skating, as distinct from skating at speed