Olympic Games

American  

plural noun

1. Also called Olympian 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.  Olympics.  a modern international sports competition, held once every four years.

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Olympic Games British  

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. Also called: the 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

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Olympic Games Cultural  

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.

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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.

Etymology

Origin of Olympic Games

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

The 29-year-old Prescod announced his retirement last August after a career in which he took part in three World Championships and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, but he now intends to run again.

From BBC

The 26-year-old, from County Down, Northern Ireland, won a gold medal for Team Ireland in the pommel horse at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

From BBC

She has scored 54 goals in 82 appearances for Germany and was part of the squad who came runners-up to England at Euro 2022, as well as winning bronze at the 2024 Olympic Games.

From BBC

The department, like other agencies across the nation, has struggled to keep pace with attrition, and these hiring difficulties come as the 2026 World Cup and Olympic Games loom as massive security challenges.

From Los Angeles Times

And since he’ll turn 27 before the Milano Cortina Olympic Games open in February, he may not be able to wait for the pendulum to swing back to have another chance at being an Olympian.

From Los Angeles Times