gym

American  

[jim] / dʒɪm /

noun

1. a gymnasium.

2. Informal. physical education.

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gym British  

/ dʒɪm /

noun

1. short for gymnasium gymnastics gymnastic

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Etymology

Origin of gym

First recorded in 1870–75; by shortening

Explanation

A gym is a building or room that's meant for playing indoor sports or exercising. You might go to the gym to pump iron, or you might go to the gym to see who else is pumping iron. The word gym is a shortened form of gymnasium, originally a Latin word meaning "school for gymnastics," from the Greek gymnasion, "public place where exercises are practiced." The preferred way to dress at a gym these days is in shorts or sweatpants, but back in Ancient Greece, men commonly exercised naked — hence the root gymnazein, "to train naked."

Example Sentences

“A separate suite with a private entrance is the perfect flex space for a creative studio, work-from-home office, full-size gym with infrared sauna, second kitchen, full bathroom, private deck, and yard,” the listing reads.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

"It might have started as 'here's my gym routine, here's my skincare routine,'" Mrozinski says.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

At his boxing gym, he played one of the late rapper’s tracks during his training, then the other fighters immediately responded to it.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

In May 2025 she was made redundant, and since then she has juggled four jobs including dog walking and working in the local gym, just "making ends meet".

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

I decide not to tell him what happened in gym class today.

From "Invisible Inkling" by Emily Jenkins

Related Words

• act
• action
• activity
• drill
• examination
• lesson
• movement
• operation
• performance
• problem
• study
• task
• test
• training
• workout