era

1 of 2

noun

ˈer-ə 

ˈe-rə,

ˈir-ə 

1

a

: a fixed point in time from which a series of years is reckoned

b

: a memorable or important date or event

especially : one that begins a new period in the history of a person or thing

2

: a system of chronological notation computed from a given date as basis

3

a

: a period identified by some prominent figure or characteristic feature

the era of the horse and buggy

b

: a stage in development (as of a person or thing)

c

: a large division of geologic time usually shorter than an eon

Paleozoic era

ERA

2 of 2

abbreviation

1

earned run average

2

Equal Rights Amendment

Synonyms

Noun

• age
• day
• epoch
• period
• time

Choose the Right Synonym for era

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

Examples of era in a Sentence

Noun

the era of the horse and buggy

We're just now entering an era of great prosperity.

His death marks the end of an era.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Today, the 79-footer’s classic lines hark to a bygone era of elegance and luxury. —Chloe Braithwaite, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2024

Designed by theater architect Thomas W. Lamb, the Albee opened on Christmas Eve 1927 during the late silent-movie era. —The Enquirer, 25 Apr. 2024

The verdicts were hailed as marking a new era of justice in the #MeToo era. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024

The findings also up the ante for state efforts to capture stormwater as climate change causes more precipitation to fall as rain instead of snow and ushers in a new era of more frequent and prolonged drought. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024

The steroid era in baseball caused emotional rifts in the game from players who played by the rules while others benefited by gaining an edge, soaking up the contract riches those advantages leveraged. —Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2024

Office conversions are hard—retail, less so For a moment in the early post-pandemic era, offices seemed like the magic bullet to solve the housing shortage. —Irina Ivanova, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024

The book explores the basketball journey and life lessons of a legendary player who led Sacramento to the brink of an NBA championship during the golden era of Kings basketball. —Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 13 Apr. 2024

Meanwhile, San Carlos Apache College in Arizona has faced the unique challenge of coming of age during the pandemic era. —Matt Krupnick, The Arizona Republic, 13 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Late Latin aera, from Latin, counters, plural of aer-, aes copper, money — more at ore

First Known Use

Noun

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing era

• Christian era
• Islamic era
• Muslim era
• vulgar era

Kids Definition

era

noun

ˈir-ə  ˈer-ə 

ˈē-rə

1

: a period of time beginning with some special date or event

the Christian era

2

: an important or outstanding period of history

the Revolutionary era

3

: one of the five major divisions of geologic time

Paleozoic era