gymnasium

noun

gym·​na·​si·​um

sense 1

jim-ˈnā-zē-əm 

-zhəm;

sense 2 is usually

gim-ˈnä-zē-əm 

plural gymnasiums or gymnasia

sense 1

jim-ˈnā-zē-ə 

-zhə;

 sense 2 is usually  gim-ˈnä-zē-ə

1

a

: a large room used for various indoor sports (such as basketball or boxing) and usually equipped with gymnastic apparatus

b

: a building (as on a college campus) containing space and equipment for various indoor sports activities and usually including spectator accommodations, locker and shower rooms, offices, classrooms, and a swimming pool

2

[German, from Latin, school] : a European secondary school that prepares students for the university

Synonyms

• gym
• health club
• health spa
• spa

Examples of gymnasium in a Sentence

since it was raining, the kids had recess in the gymnasium

Recent Examples on the Web

In March 2018, students gathered in the Cumberland Elementary gymnasium to watch Gov. Eric Holcomb sign the bill into law. —Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Oct. 2024

The third floor has an academic center, teen center, learning center and roof deck that overlooks a green roof atop the gymnasium. —Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Sep. 2024

The first half of their band practice was held inside the 70-degree gymnasium. —Richard Ruelas, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2024

Aaliyah Chavez is planted in the corner of a large and crowded gymnasium, halfway through a shoe change, when a new group appears. —Michael Errigo, Washington Post, 10 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, exercise ground, school, from Greek gymnasion, from gymnazein to exercise naked, from gymnos naked — more at naked

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

gymnasium

noun

gym·​na·​si·​um jim-ˈnā-zē-əm  -zhəm 

plural gymnasiums or gymnasia

-zē-ə,

-zhə

: a room or building for sports activities

Etymology

from Latin gymnasium "exercise ground, school," from Greek gymnasion (same meaning), from gymnazein "to exercise naked," from gymnos "naked"