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

Keep away from windows and refrain from seeking shelter in large open rooms like cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums. —Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2025

Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2025

Championship banners fill the gymnasium walls, most notably in football where Marcus Allen started a career that wound up with him hoisting the Heisman Trophy and his bust enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. —Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025

On May 18, Palmer and the cast attended the Shadyside High Senior Prom ’88 experience as guests explored versions of the gymnasium, lockers, girls’ bathroom and more locations designed to frighten fans. —Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 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"