Definition & Meaning of "jete"

What is a "jeté"?

A jeté is a ballet movement where the dancer leaps from one foot and lands on the other, often with a graceful, extended leg in the air. The term "jeté" means "thrown" in French, indicating the action of the leg being thrown or extended during the jump. To perform a jeté, the dancer typically pushes off the ground with one leg, extends the other leg forward or to the side, and then lands softly on the opposite foot. The jeté emphasizes both the height and the elegance of the leap, and it is used to add dynamic movement and fluidity to ballet choreography.