gymnasium

noun

gym·​na·​si·​um

sense 1

jim-ˈnā-zē-əm 

-zhəm;

sense 2 is usually

gim-ˈnä-zē-əm 

plural gymnasiums or gymnasia

sense 1

jim-ˈnā-zē-ə 

-zhə;

 sense 2 is usually  gim-ˈnä-zē-ə

1

a

: a large room used for various indoor sports (such as basketball or boxing) and usually equipped with gymnastic apparatus

b

: a building (as on a college campus) containing space and equipment for various indoor sports activities and usually including spectator accommodations, locker and shower rooms, offices, classrooms, and a swimming pool

2

[German, from Latin, school] : a European secondary school that prepares students for the university

Synonyms

• gym

Examples of gymnasium in a Sentence

since it was raining, the kids had recess in the gymnasium

Recent Examples on the Web

Oswego High School also experienced standing water from the storms and is undergoing drying efforts, with portions of the gymnasium unusable for the immediate future, per the district website. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025

Steer clear of windows and avoid seeking refuge in large open areas such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2025

The school is also getting a new gymnasium capable of holding all students. —Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2025

The buildings amenities include a shared gymnasium, several outdoor areas, plus in unit-dishwashers and air conditioning. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, exercise ground, school, from Greek gymnasion, from gymnazein to exercise naked, from gymnos naked — more at naked

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

gymnasium

noun

gym·​na·​si·​um jim-ˈnā-zē-əm  -zhəm 

plural gymnasiums or gymnasia

-zē-ə,

-zhə

: a room or building for sports activities

Etymology

from Latin gymnasium "exercise ground, school," from Greek gymnasion (same meaning), from gymnazein "to exercise naked," from gymnos "naked"