December

noun

De·​cem·​ber di-ˈsem-bər 

dē-

: the 12th month of the Gregorian calendar

Examples of December in a Sentence

Her birthday is in late December.

This December was not as cold as the past few Decembers have been.

Recent Examples on the Web

Alston noted that Zeman was the subject of an investigation after slapping the buttocks of an employee during a break in a School Board meeting in December 2022. —Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2024

At the 100th Eras show in Liverpool on June 13, the star announced that the tour will end in December. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 13 July 2024

The penalties are similar to sanctions levied against LAFC’s main supporters’ group, the 3252, which set off flares at BMO Stadium during the Western Conference final in December. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2024

Yes, the online process to request that information will be in place through December 2024. —Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 12 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Decembre, from Old English or Anglo-French, both from Latin December (tenth month), from decem ten — more at ten

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

December

noun

De·​cem·​ber di-ˈsem-bər 

: the twelfth month of the year

Etymology

Middle English Decembre, December "last month of the year," from early French decembre (same meaning), from Latin December, literally, "tenth month," from decem "ten" — related to decimal, dime

Word Origin

In the first calendar used by the ancient Romans, the year began with the month of March. The Romans called the tenth month of the year December, using the Latin word decem, meaning "ten." When the word was borrowed into early French, it became decembre. That was also how it was first spelled when it came into Middle English. In time, however, the English word was changed to match the original Latin in spelling and in having a capital letter.