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

See Examples For:

Olympic Games

The Baltimore-area native won a record 28 medals, including 23 gold, over the course of five Olympic Games.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

What he did at those Olympic Games 90 Augusts ago—and what it signified to a world on the verge of a global war that would cancel the Olympics until 1948—still resounds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

“Having space available that could be activated during the Olympic Games could attract some of the countries whose teams are participating.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

The makeshift settlement, long earmarked for demolition, was founded by residents evicted in Seoul's redevelopment drive ahead of the 1988 Olympic Games.

From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026

It would not be lit at any time during the Library Olympic Games because Mr. Lemoncello hated bonfires.

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein