1 olympiad | Definition of olympiad
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

olympiad

noun, often capitalized
olym·​pi·​ad | \ ə-ˈlim-pē-ˌad How to pronounce olympiad (audio) , ō-\

Definition of olympiad

1 : one of the 4-year intervals between Olympic Games by which time was reckoned in ancient Greece
2 : a quadrennial celebration of the modern Olympic Games also : a competition or series of competitions resembling an olympiad especially in variety or challenge

Examples of olympiad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 That's when Sneha Mohan and Michael Kim, who now recently finished up the eighth grade, and other Science Olympiads at Daniel Wright, presented the coaches with an offer. — Ronnie Wachter, chicagotribune.com, "Science Olympiad team at Daniel Wright Junior High wins second national title after convincing coaches to stay," 9 June 2017 But a calling is a calling, and Ms. Benton answered hers, entering scholarship competitions and arts Olympiads until she was accepted into the acting conservatory at Carnegie Mellon. — Alexis Soloski, New York Times, "Denée Benton, Tony Nominee, Embraces Her Inner Natasha," 11 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'olympiad.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of olympiad

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for olympiad

Middle English Olympias, from Latin Olympiad-, Olympias, from Greek, from Olympia, site of ancient Olympic Games

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on olympiad

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with olympiad

Spanish Central: Translation of olympiad

Britannica English: Translation of olympiad for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!