YMCA

noun

ˌwī-ˌem-(ˌ)sē-ˈā 

: an international organization that promotes the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical welfare originally of young men

—usually used with the

a member of the YMCA

—sometimes shortened informally to the Y

Examples of YMCA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Berglund Construction, which is also working on the YMCA, would be the contractor for the project. —Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

Atkins, keto, South Beach, the Zone, low carb, no carb, ultra-low fat, liquid only, Jillian Michaels, Jane Fonda, Suzanne Somers, full-body HIIT workouts, gym memberships, a YMCA weight coach, DietBet, StepBet, a Mediterranean diet, a vegetarian diet, the raw food diet, intermittent fasting. —CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

Someone else’s could be a weight machine at the YMCA or a YouTube video pulled up before breakfast. —Marisa McMillan, Outside, 9 Jan. 2026

Proceeds from the prayer breakfast will support the YMCA's Out-of-School Time programs for local youth. —Emery Glover, Des Moines Register, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Young Men's Christian Association

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

YMCA

noun

ˌwī-ˌem-(ˌ)sē-ˈā 

: an international organization that promotes the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical welfare originally of young Christian men

Etymology

Young Men's Christian Association