Olympic Games

plural noun

1

: an ancient Panhellenic festival held every fourth year and made up of contests of sports, music, and literature with the victor's prize a crown of wild olive

2

: a modified revival of the ancient Olympic Games consisting of international athletic contests that are held at separate winter and summer gatherings at four year intervals

called also Olym*pics\ ə-​ˈlim-​piks , ō-​ \

Examples of Olympic Games in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Emhoff’s portfolio as the first Second Gentleman included representing the U.S. at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and numerous other diplomatic events, and leading the administration’s work combatting antisemitism. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025

If similar fires, or other area-wide risks, were to occur in mid-July 2028, a successful Olympic Games could not be assured. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025

Meanwhile, the upcoming World Cup and Olympic Games loom as massive security challenges. —Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Additionally, the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar will mark the first time an Olympic event is held on African soil. —Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Olympic Games

plural noun

1

: an ancient Greek festival held every fourth year and made up of contests in sports, music, and literature

2

: a series of international athletic contests held in a different country during the summer and the winter once every four years