New Year

noun

1

: the calendar year about to start or recently started

2

a

usually New Year's : new year's day

b

: the first days of a calendar year

3

: rosh hashanah

Examples of New Year in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Insider tip The 2026 opening season will extend through the Christmas and the New Year holidays for the first time, and the inside spaces have been adapted accordingly. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026

The debate took on additional significance after a Kansas City man was killed during an Independence police pursuit on New Year’s Eve. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026

In a New Year’s address, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to reunify the two countries and has insisted that other countries not officially recognize Taipei in order to maintain diplomatic ties with Beijing. — News Desk, Artforum, 19 Aug. 2026

For families, back-to-school season can feel a lot like New Year’s. — Laura Vansickle, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for New Year

• auctioneer
• bandelier
• belvedere
• bombardier
• brigadier
• buccaneer
• cavalier
• chandelier
• chanticleer
• chevalier
• commandeer
• disappear

Kids Definition

New Year

noun

1

: new year's day

also : the first days of the year

2

: rosh hashanah