gymnasium

¹

[ jim-ney-zee-uhm ]

noun

, plural gym·na·si·ums, gym·na·si·a [jim-, ney, -zee-, uh, -zh, uh].

1. a building or room designed and equipped for indoor sports, exercise, or physical education.
2. a place where Greek youths met for exercise and discussion.

gymnasium

²

[ gim-nah-zee-uhm ]

noun

, plural gym·na·si·ums, gym·na·si·a [gim-, nah, -zee-, uh].

1. (often initial capital letter) (in continental Europe, especially Germany) a classical school preparatory to the universities.

gymnasium

/ dʒɪmˈneɪzɪəm /

noun

1. a large room or hall equipped with bars, weights, ropes, etc, for games or physical training
2. (in various European countries) a secondary school that prepares pupils for university

Other Words From

• gym·nasi·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gymnasium¹

1590–1600; < Latin: a public school for gymnastics < Greek gymnásion gymnastic school (derivative of gymnázein to train in the nude

Origin of gymnasium²

1685–95; < German; special use of gymnasium ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of gymnasium¹

C16: from Latin: school for gymnastics, from Greek gumnasion, from gumnazein to exercise naked, from gumnos naked

Example Sentences

At a polling station in North Philly, an outside DJ played upbeat EDM as a steady stream of residents flowed into an elementary school's gymnasium Tuesday morning to cast their ballots.

From Salon

On this night, the community center’s dimmed gymnasium is transformed into a makeshift fight ring lined with pink, blue and white trans pride flags and fiery flames projected onto the wall.

From Los Angeles Times

Video of the incident posted on social media shows Nunes in an office chair in the school’s gymnasium while the school mascot dances near him and Ginuwine’s “Pony” plays in the background.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, the film is built around a forthcoming father-daughter dance, an event which involves lunch, dancing and other activities, and takes place in the repurposed prison gymnasium.

From BBC

Approximately 15,000 took refuge in schools, gymnasiums and other temporary shelters.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• amphitheater
• gym
• rink
• stadium
• theater