First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
year
noun \ˈyir\
: a unit of time that is equal to 12 months or 365 or sometimes 366 days
: the regular period of 12 months that begins in January and ends in December
—used to refer to the age of a person
Full Definition of YEAR
1
a : the period of about 3651/4 solar days required for one revolution of the earth around the sun b : the time required for the apparent sun to return to an arbitrary fixed or moving reference point in the sky c : the time in which a planet completes a revolution about the sun <two Mercury years>
2
a : a cycle in the Gregorian calendar of 365 or 366 days divided into 12 months beginning with January and ending with December b : a period of time equal to one year of the Gregorian calendar but beginning at a different time
3
: a calendar year specified usually by a number <died in the year 1900>
4
plural : a time or era having a special significance <their glory years>
5
a : 12 months that constitute a measure of age or duration <her 21st year> —often used in combination <a year-old child> b plural : age <wise beyond her years>; also : the final stage of the normal life span
6
: a period of time (as the usually 9-month period in which a school is in session) other than a calendar year
See year defined for English-language learners
See year defined for kids
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Origin of YEAR
Middle English yere, from Old English gēar; akin to Old High German jār year, Greek hōros year, hōra season, hour
Other Calendar Terms
Rhymes with YEAR
YEAR Defined for Kids
year
noun \ˈyir\
Definition of YEAR for Kids
1
: the period of about 3651⁄4 days required for the earth to make one complete trip around the sun
2
: a period of 365 days or in leap year 366 days beginning January 1
3
: a fixed period of time <the school year>
4
: the age of a person <a six-year old>
5
: a long time <We've been standing in line for a year.>
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