Main Entry: ¹pe·ri·od

Pronunciation: \ˈpir-ē-əd\

Function: noun

Etymology: 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

Date: circa 1530

1 : the completion of a cycle, a series of events, or a single action : conclusion
2 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
3 a : the full pause with which the utterance of a sentence closes b : end, stop
4 obsolete : goal, purpose
5 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
6 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
7 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
8 a : one of the divisions of the academic day b : one of the divisions of the playing time of a game

synonyms 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>.