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 : conclusion2 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 cadence3 a: the full pause with which the utterance of a sentence closes b: end, stop4obsolete : goal, purpose5 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 cola6 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 menstruation7 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 space8 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>.