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

During her 40-year-tenure, Drew aided in a multimillion-dollar capital campaign that supported the company’s purchase and renovation of the historic Moorland YMCA building, its current location in the Arts District, and a growth in programming. —Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026

The open house for tonight was set to be at OrthoIndy Foundation YMCA on the city's northwest side. —Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 4 Mar. 2026

What the future facility will surround is a home that, for years, the YMCA has tried to purchase. —Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026

Juri also enrolled in preschool at a local YMCA with the help of her literacy coordinator, Davis said. —Makiya Seminera The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 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