# gymnasium

/dʒɪmˈneɪziəm/ (US) · /dʒɪmnˈeɪsiəm/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gymnasium
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a large room or building with equipment for physical exercise and sports. You often go here to lift weights, run, or play indoor games like basketball.

For teachers: a large room or hall equipped for physical exercise, gymnastics, and indoor sports. Often shortened to 'gym' in modern usage; the full form is now considered formal.

## Examples

- The school built a new gymnasium for the basketball team.
- Students are required to wear clean athletic shoes before entering the gymnasium to protect the polished wooden floor.
- While the local gymnasium offers a variety of weightlifting equipment, many residents prefer the outdoor tracks for their morning cardio routines during the summer months.

## Usage notes

- Often functions as the head of a noun phrase; the clipped form 'gym' is significantly more common in daily speech.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.