Olympic Games

plural noun

1. Also called Olympian Games. the greatest of the games or festivals of ancient Greece, held every four years in the plain of Olympia in Elis, in honor of Zeus.
2. O·lym·pics. a modern international sports competition, held once every four years.

Olympic Games

noun

1. the greatest Panhellenic festival, held every fourth year in honour of Zeus at ancient Olympia. From 472 bc , it consisted of five days of games, sacrifices, and festivities
2. See Winter Olympic Games
   Also calledthe Olympics the modern revival of these games, consisting of international athletic and sporting contests held every four years in a selected country since their inception in Athens in 1896 See also Winter Olympic Games

Olympic Games

1. Games held in ancient times on the plain of Olympia in Greece every four years. It was a time for laying aside political and religious differences, as athletes from all the Greek cities and districts competed. The games included patriotic and religious rituals as well as athletic contests, and high honors were given to the winners. The Greeks counted their years by olympiads (periods of four years) and dated events from the first Olympics in 776 b.c.

Notes

The Olympic Games deteriorated under Roman rule of Greece and were halted in the fourth century. They were revived in the late nineteenth century, with goals of peace and fellowship modeled on those of the ancient Olympics. The modern Olympics include many athletic events of the original games, such as the discus throw.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Olympic Games¹

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

We did a lot in our seven years for the kids, brought the Olympic Games to the country.

From The Daily Beast

“They beat us right before the eyes of police, who were supposed to protect people during the Olympic Games,” Kniadlikovsky said.

From The Daily Beast

She was also the first European to be arrested during the Sochi Winter Olympic games for demonstrating about gay rights.

From The Daily Beast

Sidorova competed in the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games when she was only 19 years old, serving as Skip for several matches.

From The Daily Beast

“The Olympic Games, like a big bulldozer, keep rolling all over our lives,” Martynov said with a sigh.

From The Daily Beast

These races, like the Olympic Games, were celebrated at intervals of four years, and were called Her.

From Project Gutenberg

Cimon gave an honourable sepulture to the mares with which he had three times gained the prize of the course at the Olympic Games.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the six paintings making up the series, only one, that of the Olympic Games, shows any artistic power.

From Project Gutenberg

So long ago as the last Olympic Games he published his intention of cremating himself at the next.

From Project Gutenberg

Represented Persia in the Olympic Games of 1072, winning the sitting high-jump and the egg-and-spoon race.

From Project Gutenberg