Paralympics

plural noun

Para·​lym·​pics ˌper-ə-ˈlim-piks 

ˌpa-rə-

: a series of international contests for athletes with disabilities that are associated with and held following the summer and winter Olympic Games

called also Paralympic Games

Paralympian

ˌper-ə-ˈlim-pē-ən 

ˌpa-rə-

noun

Paralympic

ˌper-ə-ˈlim-pik 

ˌpa-rə-

adjective

Examples of Paralympics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The state budget proposal, which is still subject to change, did make a significant revision from January by pulling $17.6 million from the state’s highway fund toward Olympics and Paralympics planning. —Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025

Sheetal Devi became India's youngest Paralympic medalist after winning bronze in an archery team event at the Paralympics in Paris. —Rana Wehbe Watson, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

The venue plan for the Paralympics, which will be held in L.A. for the first time, will be announced in the coming weeks after approval from the International Paralympic Committee. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025

His final performance was at the closing ceremony for the 2024 Paris Paralympics. —Marina Watts, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

para(plegic) + (O)lympics, later interpreted as para- entry 1 in sense "alongside of" + (O)lympics

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Paralympics

• olympics