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

Welch has been a member of the Platte County Community Center South YMCA’s advisory board since 2018. —Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026

Recently, beautifulPB took over the PB Arts Center at 4606 Ingraham Street (former YMCA building). —Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

But now emerges a move to save the library, to convert it into, among other possibilities, a YMCA executive fitness facility and day care center. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026

Jan Bapst, a Dune Acres resident and former library board member, noted how the library’s project with Brown Mansion will complement efforts of the Duneland YMCA, which is in the midst of renovating and adding to the nearby former Chesterton Middle School building. —Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 27 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