Seesaw: meaning, definitions and examples

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seesaw

[ˈsiːˌsɔː ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

playground equipment

A seesaw is a long plank balanced in the middle so that, as one end goes up, the other goes down.

Synonyms

dandle, teeter-totter, teeterboard.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
seesaw	Commonly used to describe a playground equipment consisting of a balanced board that moves up and down. Also can be used metaphorically to describe a situation with frequent changes or oscillations. The children enjoyed playing on the seesaw in the park. The stock market seesawed all week, making investors anxious.
teeter-totter	Another term for seesaw, especially common in American English. Used mainly to describe playground equipment. Let's go to the park and play on the teeter-totter. They laughed as they went up and down on the teeter-totter.
teeterboard	Often used in gymnastics or circus contexts to refer to a balance board used for acrobatics. The circus performer impressed everyone with her skills on the teeterboard. The gymnasts practiced their routines on the teeterboard.
dandle	Primarily used to describe bouncing a child gently on one's knee or arms. Carries a more nurturing and caring connotation. She dandled the baby lovingly on her knee. Grandpa used to dandle me and tell stories.

Examples of usage

The children were playing on the seesaw in the park.
She and her friend took turns on the seesaw.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

fluctuate

To seesaw means to move back and forth or to fluctuate between two positions.

Synonyms

fluctuate, oscillate, vacillate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
seesaw	Typically used to describe something that moves back and forth or alternates between two states in a simplified manner, often in a playful or informal context. The stock market has been seesawing a lot recently. Their moods seemed to seesaw between happiness and sadness.
fluctuate	Used to describe something that varies irregularly, in a consistent up and down pattern, often in a more formal or technical context. The temperature fluctuates daily during spring. Her weight has fluctuated over the past few months.
oscillate	Used in more scientific or technical contexts to describe regular or periodic movement between two points, also suitable for describing emotional or psychological states. The pendulum of the clock oscillates back and forth. His opinions oscillate between extreme beliefs.
vacillate	Implies a hesitation or inability to decide, often viewed negatively due to the indecisiveness or lack of firmness. She tends to vacillate when making important decisions. His vacillating attitude irritated his colleagues.

Examples of usage

The stock prices were seesawing throughout the day.
Her emotions seesawed between joy and sorrow.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The word 'seesaw' comes from the 17th century, possibly from the phrase 'seesaw in a swing' referring to its back-and-forth motion.
Seesaws were originally made of wood, but modern versions use plastic and metal for safety and durability.
In medieval times, children would play with wooden planks balanced on a log, which is a precursor to today’s seesaws.

Psychology

Playing on a seesaw helps develop balance, coordination, and spatial awareness in children.
Research shows that seesaws can promote social skills, as kids learn to communicate and cooperate to maintain balance.
The up-and-down motion can also stimulate feelings of joy and excitement, enhancing playtime experiences.

Engineering

Seesaws operate on a principle called the 'lever,' allowing one side to lift the other using the weight of the players.
The fulcrum, or pivot point, is critical in determining how high each side goes based on where the players sit.
Modern seesaw designs include safety elements, like rubber grips and rounded edges, to prevent injury during play.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, playgrounds with seesaws symbolize childhood joy and friendship, creating spaces for social interaction.
Seesaws have appeared in various forms of art and literature, often representing balance in life and relationships.
Some symbolic interpretations suggest that seesaws represent the ups and downs of life, teaching resilience to children.

Pop Culture

Seesaws often appear in cartoons and movies, showcasing fun moments of playfulness and camaraderie.
The classic seesaw scene has been used in various media to depict friendship or rivalry among characters.
During the 1980s, a popular children's television show featured a seesaw as part of its iconic playground setting!

Translations

Translations of the word "seesaw" in other languages:

🇵🇹 gangorra

🇮🇳 झूला

🇩🇪 Wippe

🇮🇩 jungkat-jungkit

🇺🇦 гойдалка

🇵🇱 huśtawka

🇯🇵 シーソー

🇫🇷 bascule

🇪🇸 sube y baja

🇹🇷 tahterevalli

🇰🇷 시소

🇸🇦 أرجوحة

🇨🇿 houpačka

🇸🇰 hojdačka

🇨🇳 跷跷板

🇸🇮 gugalnica

🇮🇸 sjávarás

🇰🇿 тербелме

🇬🇪 სლაიდერი

🇦🇿 tərəzi

🇲🇽 sube y baja

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,771 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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31768 unedited
31769 whorled
31770 pungency
31771 seesaw
31772 psychically
31773 tonsure
31774 rhomboid
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