<p><strong>Verb (used with or without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to fall helplessly down, end over end, as by losing one's footing, support, or equilibrium; plunge: to tumble down the stairs.</li><li>to roll end over end, as in falling: The stones tumbled down the hill.</li><li>to fall or decline rapidly; drop: Prices on the stock market tumbled today.</li><li>to perform gymnastic feats of skill and agility, as leaps or somersaults.</li><li>to fall suddenly from a position of power or authority; suffer overthrow: As one dictator tumbles, another is rising to take his place.</li><li>to fall in ruins, as from age or decay; collapse; topple: The walls of the old mansion tumbled down upon the intruders.</li><li>to roll about by turning one way and another; pitch about; toss.</li><li>to stumble or fall (usually followed by over): to tumble over a sled.</li><li>to go, come, get, etc., in a hasty and confused way: The people tumbled out of the theater.</li><li>to understand or become aware of some fact or circumstance (often followed by to): He finally tumbled to what they were doing.</li><li>Rocketry: (of a missile) to rotate without control end over end.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to cause to fall or roll end over end; throw over or down.</li><li>to throw or toss about; cause disarray, as in handling or searching.</li><li>to put in a disordered or rumpled condition.</li><li>to throw, cast, put, send, etc., in a precipitate, hasty, or rough manner.</li><li>to cause to fall from a position of authority or power; overthrow; topple: They tumbled him from his throne.</li><li>to cause to fall or collapse in ruins: The wreckers tumbled the walls of the building.</li><li>to subject to the action of a tumbling box.</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>an act of tumbling or falling.</li><li>a gymnastic or acrobatic feat.</li><li>an accidental fall; spill.</li><li>a drop in value, as of stocks.</li><li>a fall from a position of power or authority: The great director took a tumble when he was replaced by a newcomer.</li><li>a response indicating interest, affection, etc.: She wouldn't give me a tumble.</li><li>tumbled condition; disorder or confusion.</li><li>a confused heap: a tumble of papers, ashes, pens, and keys on the desk.</li><li>Chiefly New England: a haycock.</li></ul>