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¹period

noun pe·ri·od \ˈpir-ē-əd\

: a length of time during which a series of events or an action takes place or is completed

: a length of time that is very important in the history of the world, a nation, etc.

: a time that is very important in the life of a person

Full Definition of PERIOD

: the completion of a cycle, a series of events, or a single action : conclusion

a (1) : an utterance from one full stop to another : sentence (2) : a well-proportioned sentence of several clauses (3) : periodic sentence

b : a musical structure or melodic section usually composed of two or more contrasting or complementary phrases and ending with a cadence

a : the full pause with which the utterance of a sentence closes

b : end, stop

obsolete : goal, purpose

a (1) : a point . used to mark the end (as of a declarative sentence or an abbreviation) (2) —used interjectionally to emphasize the finality of the preceding statement <I don't remember — period>

b : a rhythmical unit in Greek verse composed of a series of two or more cola

a : a portion of time determined by some recurring phenomenon

b (1) : the interval of time required for a cyclic motion or phenomenon to complete a cycle and begin to repeat itself (2) : a number k that does not change the value of a periodic function f when added to the independent variable; especially : the smallest such number

c : a single cyclic occurrence of menstruation

a : a chronological division : stage

b : a division of geologic time longer than an epoch and included in an era

c : a stage of culture having a definable place in time and space

a : one of the divisions of the academic day

b : one of the divisions of the playing time of a game

See period defined for English-language learners

See period defined for kids

Origin of PERIOD

Middle English periode, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin, Latin, & Greek; Medieval Latin periodus period of time, punctuation mark, from Latin & Greek; Latin, rhetorical period, from Greek periodos circuit, period of time, rhetorical period, from peri- + hodos way

First Known Use: circa 1530

Related to PERIOD

Synonyms: menstruation, monthlies

Synonym Discussion of PERIOD

period, epoch, era, age mean a division of time. period may designate an extent of time of any length <periods of economic prosperity>. epoch applies to a period begun or set off by some significant or striking quality, change, or series of events <the steam engine marked a new epoch in industry>. era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things <the era of global communications>. age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature <the age of Samuel Johnson>.

Rhymes with PERIOD

myriad, nereid, Nereid

²period

adjective

: of, relating to, or typical of a particular time in history

Full Definition of PERIOD

: of, relating to, or representing a particular historical period <period furniture> <period costumes>

See period defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of PERIOD

1905

PERIOD Defined for Kids

period

noun pe·ri·od \ˈpir-ē-əd\

Definition of PERIOD for Kids

: a punctuation mark . used chiefly to mark the end of a declarative sentence or an abbreviation

: a portion of time set apart by some quality <a period of cool weather>

: a portion of time that forms a stage in history <the colonial period>

: one of the divisions of a school day <I have math second period.>

: a single occurrence of menstruation

Synonym Discussion of PERIOD

period and age mean a portion of time. period can be used of any portion of time, no matter how long or short. <We waited a period of five minutes.> <A new period of space exploration has begun.> age is used of a longer period of time that is associated with an important person or outstanding thing. <I'm reading about the age of Thomas Jefferson.> <We live in the computer age.>

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