spa

noun \ ˈspä , ˈspȯ \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

Definition of spa

1 a : a mineral spring

b : a resort with mineral springs

2 : a fashionable resort or hotel

3 New England : soda fountain

4 : a commercial establishment providing facilities devoted especially to health, fitness, weight loss, beauty, and relaxation

5 : a hot tub with a whirlpool device

See spa defined for English-language learners

See spa defined for kids

Examples of spa in a Sentence

Their property includes a swimming pool and spa.
a six-month membership in a health spa with the specific purpose of losing weight

Recent Examples of spa from the Web

Located in Dallas’ Uptown, the Hotel Crescent Court has completed a $33 million overhaul of its lobby, guest rooms, suites, corridors, spa, and fitness center.

— nancy trejos, USA TODAY, "Hotel renovations: Properties in Los Angeles, Dallas and San Francisco get major upgrades," 13 July 2018
Those touches include a 6,000-square-foot gym with juice bar, a co-working studio, a dog spa, a furnished game room and lounge, a gourmet presentation kitchen and a fancy mail room.

— jennifer van grove, sandiegouniontribune.com, "One Paseo: Inside the bustling construction site," 12 July 2018
Amenities include 24-hour fitness center, spa, and rooftop dipping pool.

— necee regis, BostonGlobe.com, "Here, there, and everywhere," 10 July 2018
Its pool deck offers six different water experiences, including a deck-entry pool with celestial lights, Jacuzzi spa, cold plunge pool and three Thalassotherapy spas, as well as cabanas.

— robyn a. friedman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "$29 million condo in Sunny Isles Beach comes with its own custom 'scent identity'," 9 July 2018
The JW Marriott, which is 17 miles north of downtown San Antonio, includes two golf courses, a spa, a nine-acre water park and nearly 270,000 square feet of event space, according to its website.

— richard webner, San Antonio Express-News, "Private equity firm in talks to buy JW Marriott resort," 9 July 2018
Amenities include a pool and spa, a gym, a guard house, a screening room and a tennis court with a pavilion.

— katherine clarke, WSJ, "Media Mogul Sells Los Angeles Manor for a Third Off," 6 July 2018
The 15,846-square foot home included a spa, swimming pool, elevator, home theater and ocean views, the sort of immaculate space that might appeal to a multimillionaire with a wife, three children and a burgeoning business empire off the court.

— nathan fenno, latimes.com, "LeBron James dropped hints for a year that he would join Lakers," 3 July 2018
Counterintuitively, perhaps, the resort will specialize in all things wellness: Its 16,000-square-foot spa, run in partnership with Biologique Recherche, will have its own yoga studio, sauna, hammam, and a set of indoor and outdoor pools.

— Fortune, "5 Spectacular, New Ways to Experience the French Countryside," 28 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of spa

Spa, watering place in Belgium

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1610

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

spa Synonyms

Synonyms

gym, gymnasium, health club, health spa;

Spa

geographical name \ ˈspä \

Definition of Spa

town southeast of Liège in the Wallonia region in eastern Belgium population 10,394

SPA Defined for English Language Learners

spa

noun

Definition of spa for English Language Learners

: a place where water that has many minerals in it comes up naturally from the ground and where people go to improve their health by swimming in, bathing in, or drinking the water
: a place where people go to improve their health and appearance by exercising, relaxing, etc.
: a bathtub in which a pump causes hot water and air bubbles to move around your body