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

Keep away from windows and refrain from seeking shelter in large open rooms like cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025

This prompts Rowley to pull his mother up from a round table out onto the center of the gymnasium dance floor. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 13 May 2025

Those four schools were considered the finalists and had their hats on the table when Cantwell made his decision in the Nixa High gymnasium on Tuesday. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025

The campus features will include a multipurpose gymnasium for sports, fitness classes and community events; classrooms and meeting spaces; wellness center; child development center; teaching kitchen; outdoor recreational spaces; and community gathering spaces, according to project details. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025

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"