Definition

1. Noun:
   • A period of four years: Specifically, the four-year interval between successive celebrations of the ancient Olympic Games, used as a unit of time reckoning in ancient Greece.
   • A modern international competition: A major international contest, often in fields such as science, mathematics, or chess, held on a regular basis. It can also refer to the celebration of the modern Olympic Games themselves.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Four-year interval):

  • The ancient Greeks dated events by the number of the Olympiad.
  • The first recorded Olympiad began in 776 BC.

• Noun (Modern competition):

  • She won a gold medal at the International Mathematics Olympiad.
  • The city prepared for the upcoming Summer Olympiad.

Advanced Usage

• "to reckon by Olympiads": To measure or calculate time using the four-year cycle of the ancient Olympic Games.
  • Historians sometimes reckon by Olympiads when studying ancient Greek chronology.

Variants and Related Words

• Olympic (adj): Of or relating to the Olympic Games or an Olympiad.
  • The Olympic flame is a powerful symbol.
• Olympian (adj/noun): Of or relating to the ancient Greek gods of Olympus; or, a participant in the Olympic Games.
  • She possessed an Olympian calm. (adj)
  • The Olympian stood proudly on the podium. (noun)

Synonyms

• Quadrennium: A period of four years.
• Games: A meeting for athletic competitions (context-specific synonym for the modern event).

Related Phrases

• Science Olympiad: A specific type of academic team competition in various science disciplines.
  • Our school's team is competing in the state Science Olympiad.
• Olympiad year: A year in which the Olympic Games are held.
  • The next Olympiad year is 2028.

Noun

1. the modern revival of the ancient games held once every 4 years in a selected country
2. one of the four-year intervals between Olympic Games; used to reckon time in ancient Greece for twelve centuries beginning in 776 BC