October

noun

Oc·​to·​ber äk-ˈtō-bər 

: the 10th month of the Gregorian calendar

Examples of October in a Sentence

She started her job in early October.

He started early in October.

This will be our last October in New England.

Sales are up for this October.

The event happens every October.

Recent Examples on the Web

In her October 2024 rematch opposite Yoshida, Metcalf won the IBF bantamweight belt. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

The charges stemmed from claims made in October 2021 by a 21-year-old woman regarding an incident at a Lake Oswego party at the home of Robert Covington, one of McLemore’s then-teammates. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 10 July 2025

When Is the Next Amazon Prime Day? Amazon Prime Day typically takes place annually in July, although Amazon hosts other sales events throughout the year like Prime Big Deal Days in October. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 10 July 2025

Anthony was charged with murdering her 2-year-old daughter Caylee in October 2008, which was four months after the child was reported missing by the baby’s grandmother. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 10 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Octobre, from Old English & Anglo-French; Old English October, from Latin, 8th month of the early Roman calendar, from octo; Anglo-French, from Latin October

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing October

• October surprise

Rhymes for October

• sober
• tober

Kids Definition

October

noun

Oc·​to·​ber äk-ˈtō-bər 

: the tenth month of the year

Etymology

Middle English October, Octobre "the tenth month," from Old English October and early French octobre (both, same meaning), both from Latin October "the eighth month," from octo "eight"

Word Origin

According to its origin, the name October, which we know as the tenth month of the year, really means "eighth month." In the first calendar used in ancient Rome, the year had only ten months, starting in March and ending in December. The extra period between December and March was not considered part of the series of months. Later, when two extra months were added to the calendar, October became the tenth month but kept its old name. The Latin name came into Old English as october and into early French as octobre. It was spelled both ways in Middle English. But in time the influence of Latin fixed the spelling as october.