YWCA

noun

ˌwī-ˌdə-bəl-yu̇-(ˌ)sē-ˈā 

-ˌdə-bə-yu̇-

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

—usually used with the

a member of the YWCA

—sometimes shortened informally to the Y

Examples of YWCA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nussbaum advertised a meeting in the newspaper for November 1973 at the downtown Boston YWCA. — Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026

Funds raised will directly support the YWCA’s ongoing programs, emergency response capacity and year‑round services, the release said. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Within days, midwives, mothers, community leaders and politicians held a rally at the YWCA in downtown Troy. — Noam Levey, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026

Daily meals that had been provided at the YWCA in recent days have now been moved to City Life Center. — Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Young Women's Christian Association

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

YWCA

noun

ˌwī-ˌdəb-əl-yu̇-(ˌ)sē-ˈā 

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

Etymology

Young Women's Christian Association