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

The students in the club participated in National History Day, a competition where students present a topic of their interest, and the YMCA Youth and Government Program’s Model Legislative Session, where students debate bills at the Arizona Capitol. —Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 7 Sep. 2025

That’s former Viking Gene Washington, 81, working out regularly at the Southdale YMCA. —Charley Walters, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025

Rady Children’s Hospital, Feeding San Diego and YMCA Childcare Resource Services. —Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025

The details that remained were the reckless arrival of the yellow and brown minibus as our long line of schoolchildren filed down NTC Road, marching toward the YMCA for Sports Friday. —Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 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