Main Entry: olym·pi·ad

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈlim-pē-ˌad, ō-\

Function: noun

Usage: often capitalized

Etymology: Middle English Olympias, from Latin Olympiad-, Olympias, from Greek, from Olympia, site of ancient Olympic Games

Date: 14th century

1 : one of the 4-year intervals between Olympic Games by which time was reckoned in ancient Greece
2 : a quadrennial celebration of the modern Olympic Games; also : a competition or series of competitions resembling an olympiad especially in variety or challenge