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Special Olympics

American

plural noun

an international program of fitness and athletic competition for children and adults who have mental and often physical disabilities, founded in 1968 and featuring events and quadrennial games modeled on those of the Olympics as well as regional and national competitions.

Other Word Forms

Special Olympian noun

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He was one of L.A.’s best-known philanthropists, contributing more than $100 million to causes such as the Special Olympics and the Los Angeles Zoo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

"Jenkins just put your project and Special Olympics funding on the veto list," Fine wrote to West Melbourne City Councilman John Dittmore.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2025

The Special Olympics GB helped Lloyd secure a place in the marathon, and he is also a gymnast and footballer with the organisation.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2024

Erskine’s son went on to compete in the Special Olympics as a swimmer and the chapter on Jimmy from Erskine’s book was consolidated into a pamphlet now distributed by the Special Olympics.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2024

The experience at Soldiers Field in Chicago inspired Boutilier to start the first Special Olympics Maine.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 29, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023