Paralympics

plural noun

Para·​lym·​pics ˌper-ə-ˈlim-piks How to pronounce Paralympics (audio)
ˌpa-rə-
: a series of international contests for athletes with disabilities that are associated with and held following the summer and winter Olympic Games

called also Paralympic Games

Paralympian
ˌper-ə-ˈlim-pē-ən How to pronounce Paralympics (audio)
ˌpa-rə-
noun
Paralympic
ˌper-ə-ˈlim-pik How to pronounce Paralympics (audio)
ˌpa-rə-
adjective

Examples of Paralympics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The original 2020 Rising Phoenix documentary explored the inspirational stories of nine Paralympian athletes, and was followed by Rising Phoenix: Tokyo and Rising Phoenix: A New Revolution, shot in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Paralympics. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025 The Olympic Games and Paralympics currently allow transgender athletes to compete. — Reuters, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2025 Shop the collection From sleeping in her car to competing at the 2016 Paralympics Since that day, Bassett has pushed herself to new heights around the world. — Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 Her husband, Hunter, also won a gold medal in the Paralympics. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Paralympics

Word History

Etymology

para(plegic) + (O)lympics, later interpreted as para- entry 1 in sense "alongside of" + (O)lympics

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Paralympics was in 1953

Rhymes for Paralympics

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Paralympics
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Cite this Entry

“Paralympics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Paralympics. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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