: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Report White House Blasts Reports on Potential Hegseth Replacement Houston YMCA Cutting Staff After Trump Funding Blow Part of the changes are due to economic realities. Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025 Just last fall, swastikas and other antisemitic graffiti were spray painted on the bus at the Morrison Family YMCA where multiple Jewish sports leagues were playing. Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2025 For example, the YMCA, which runs a drowning prevention program, says much of that work may be in jeopardy. Will Stone, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025 Tina Fey is wearing a matching pajama set, perched on the edge of an oversized chair and discussing her tenure as a receptionist at the Evanston, Illinois, YMCA in the early ’90s. Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for YMCA

Word History

Etymology

Young Men's Christian Association

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of YMCA was in 1868

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“YMCA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/YMCA. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

: an international organization that promotes the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical welfare originally of young Christian men
Etymology

Young Men's Christian Association

More from Merriam-Webster on YMCA

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