Dictionary

October

noun Oc·to·ber \äk-ˈtō-bər\

: the 10th month of the year

Full Definition of OCTOBER

:  the 10th month of the Gregorian calendar
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of OCTOBER

Middle English Octobre, from Old English & Anglo-French; Old English October, from Latin, 8th month of the early Roman calendar, from octo; Anglo-French, from Latin October
First Known Use: before 12th century
OCTOBER Defined for Kids

October

noun Oc·to·ber \äk-ˈtō-bər\

Definition of OCTOBER for Kids

:  the tenth month of the year

Word History of OCTOBER

The earliest Roman calendar had only ten months and began with the month of March. The eighth month was called in Latin October, a word that combines the number octo, eight, with the element -ber found in September, November, and December. The name was kept—and eventually borrowed by English—after October became the tenth of twelve Roman months.

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: OctobristPrevious Word in the Dictionary: octobassAll Words Near: October
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears