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

The annual formalwear sale is open to anyone 11 or older and features gently used clothing, with most items priced from $3 to $25, according to the YWCA Elgin website. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 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

Garrott was inducted into the Belmont-Southwest YWCA Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989 at the age of 75. — Samantha Adams, The Conversation, 29 July 2026

Her older sister had also volunteered with YWCA and recommended the organization. — Shivika Verma, Mercury News, 6 July 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