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.

---

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

---

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.

---

Discover More

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

For an elite athlete who has represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games, running the Boston Marathon in two hours and 43 minutes might not seem like much of an achievement.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

There’s lobbying for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

He called volleyball at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games for NBC and rowing in 2004.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

During lockdown, Kildunne was part of Great Britain's sevens squad, training for an Olympic Games which was subsequently postponed until 2021.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

By the end of the Olympic Games, those same athletes left the stadium with a new flag and a new name: Zambia.”

From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia