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
• health club
• health spa
• spa

Examples of gymnasium in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Steer clear of windows and avoid large open spaces like cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums. —Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025

Approximately 100 people attended the debate, which took place in the gymnasium of the Bethlehem Center at 951 Evans Avenue and was organized by the Historic Southside Neighborhood Association. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025

On Monday, Gary Community School Corp. officials announced classes would resume Tuesday as gymnasium repairs take place. —Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025

For a moment, the staff feel confidently in the clear, until Jacob remembers that the fancy scoreboard is still hanging proudly in the gymnasium. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 19 Mar. 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"