First Known Use: 1598
Dictionary
gymnasium
noun gym·na·si·um \sense 1 jim-ˈnā-zē-əm, -zhəm; sense 2 usually gim-ˈnä-zē-əm\
: a room or building that has equipment for sports activities or exercise
plural gym·na·si·ums or -na·sia \-ˈnā-zē-ə, -ˈnā-zhə; -ˈnä-zē-ə\
Full Definition of GYMNASIUM
1
a : a large room used for various indoor sports (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
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Origin of GYMNASIUM
Latin, exercise ground, school, from Greek gymnasion, from gymnazein to exercise naked, from gymnos naked — more at naked
Related to GYMNASIUM
- Synonyms
- gym, health club, health spa, spa
GYMNASIUMS Defined for Kids
gymnasium
noun gym·na·si·um \jim-ˈnā-zē-əm\
Definition of GYMNASIUM for Kids
: a room or building for sports events or exercise
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