Paralympics

plural noun

Para·​lym·​pics ˌper-ə-ˈlim-piks 

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 

ˌpa-rə-

noun

Paralympic

ˌper-ə-ˈlim-pik 

ˌpa-rə-

adjective

Examples of Paralympics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Olympics and Paralympics will be centered on the state capital, Brisbane, but cities across the state, including the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, will host competitions. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Evans is now the chief athlete officer for the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles. — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 17 Sep. 2026

An activist group called the Fair Games Coalition has sought to meet with Hobson over their concerns about the Olympics and Paralympics, including housing and workers’ needs. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

But there will be no more random draws for Olympic ticket access — only for the Paralympics. — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for Paralympics

• olympics