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

After years of closure during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Shepherd YMCA Firehouse in reopens at 7877 Herschel Ave. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025

On Wednesday, Raising Cane’s gave away 100 bicycles at a YMCA in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where the chicken chain is based, with help from Gayle Benson, the owner of the New Orleans Saints. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025

Three south shore school districts are collaborating to potentially purchase the former YMCA building in Cudahy. —Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 15 Dec. 2025

The Arkansas Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) established a camp on the eastern end of the mountain in 1920. —Arkansas Online, 13 Dec. 2025

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