YMCA

noun

ˌwī-ˌem-(ˌ)sē-ˈā 

: an international organization that promotes the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical welfare originally of young men

—usually used with the

a member of the YMCA

—sometimes shortened informally to the Y

Examples of YMCA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The group is launching pilots at city YMCA locations and is in discussions with the Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Library as well. — Mikayla Price, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

That summer, the Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars, an all-Black team from Charleston, South Carolina, entered the state tournament, and all hell broke loose. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026

By 2024, the YMCA’s annual revenue was $74 million, more than 25% below pre-pandemic levels. — Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026

Gary’s Boys & Girls Club is part of the Tolleston Opportunity Campus, which includes the Gary YMCA and a Methodist Hospitals clinic. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Young Men's Christian Association

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

YMCA

noun

ˌwī-ˌem-(ˌ)sē-ˈā 

: an international organization that promotes the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical welfare originally of young Christian men

Etymology

Young Men's Christian Association