gymnasium

noun gym·na·si·um \ sense 1 jim-ˈnā-zē-əm , -zhəm ; sense 2 is usually gim-ˈnä-zē-əm \

Definition of gymnasium

plural gymnasiums or -nasia play \ 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

[German, from Latin, school]

: a European secondary school that prepares students for the university

See gymnasium defined for English-language learners

See gymnasium defined for kids

Examples of gymnasium in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of gymnasium from the Web

However, in her last game on her home floor, the senior from Mobile, Hannah Wentland, slammed the door shut with an emphatic kill that pleased the packed gymnasium to give Mobile the set victory.

— mobile athletics, AL.com, "Mobile Volleyball Makes History with Straight Sets Victory Over Faulkner," 2 Nov. 2017
Over 40 crafters/vendors in gymnasium and cafeteria.

— luann gibbs, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati craft show and holiday gift guide," 15 Oct. 2017
In an update posted on its website Tuesday night, the district said test results have cleared the following locations at the high school for use: theater, band room, drama rooms, gymnasium and locker rooms.

— Philly.com, "Months of grappling with mold problem before South Jersey district abruptly shut schools," 10 Oct. 2017
Before staying at the Bells, the children and their caretakers were in a gymnasium that served as a temporary shelter for locals.

— Southern Living, "After Hurricane Irma, Millionaire Welcomes 70 Foster Kids Into His Florida Mansion," 14 Sep. 2017
In the school's gymnasium, clubs and sports sponsors had booths set up to talk to students and give more information about the school.

— maryann pisano, chicagotribune.com, "A taste: Mannheim Middle School provides a glimpse of what it offers," 11 Sep. 2017
The optic white hue and open back was well suited to the unseasonably warm temperatures on the West Coast—and for that matter, a stuffy gymnasium.

— maria ward, Vogue, "Kendall Jenner Has a Cooler Alternative to the Little White Boot," 20 Oct. 2017
The site plan is for a building with 62,000 square feet of space, including for the YMCA a pool, a fitness center, an indoor track, a children's activity area, a gymnasium and a multipurpose room.

— sheldon s. shafer, The Courier-Journal, "Work to start on long-delayed West End YMCA branch," 17 Oct. 2017
The city's boom years coincided perfectly with the advent of cinema as public entertainment: by 1910 the local Orpheum Theatre was screening films regularly and the Dawson Amateur Athletic Association had turned its gymnasium into a movie theater.

— j.r. jones, Chicago Reader, "How Bill Morrison makes magic with found footage," 27 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gymnasium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gymnasium

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1598

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

gymnasium Synonyms

Synonyms

gym, health club, health spa, spa;

GYMNASIUM Defined for English Language Learners

gymnasium

noun

Definition of gymnasium for English Language Learners

: a room or building that has equipment for sports activities or exercise

GYMNASIUM Defined for Kids

gymnasium

noun gym·na·si·um \ jim-ˈnā-zē-əm \

Definition of gymnasium for Students

: a room or building for sports events or exercise

Learn More about gymnasium

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gymnasium Spanish Central: Translation of gymnasium Nglish: Translation of gymnasium for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gymnasium

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up gymnasium? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

gymnasium

Definition of gymnasium

Examples of gymnasium in a Sentence

Recent Examples of gymnasium from the Web

Origin and Etymology of gymnasium

gymnasium Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

GYMNASIUM Defined for English Language Learners

gymnasium

Definition of gymnasium for English Language Learners

GYMNASIUM Defined for Kids

gymnasium

Definition of gymnasium for Students

Learn More about gymnasium

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

slew

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

True or False?

Dictionary Devil

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

gymnasium

Definition of gymnasium

Examples of gymnasium in a Sentence

Recent Examples of gymnasium from the Web

Origin and Etymology of gymnasium

gymnasium Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

GYMNASIUM Defined for English Language Learners

gymnasium

Definition of gymnasium for English Language Learners

GYMNASIUM Defined for Kids

gymnasium

Definition of gymnasium for Students

Learn More about gymnasium

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes