intercalary

adjective

in·​ter·​ca·​la·​ry in-ˈtər-kə-ˌler-ē 

ˌin-tər-ˈka-lə-rē

1

a

: inserted in a calendar

an intercalary day

b

of a year : containing an intercalary period (such as a day or month)

2

: inserted between other things or parts : interpolated

Examples of intercalary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The disk rests on an intercalary backbone—a bone structure that most likely evolved from parts of the spine. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 9 Aug. 2025

Grass species, on the other hand, have an intercalary meristem, a growing point that produces new growth from the bottom of the plant. — Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 17 May 2024

This is technically called an intercalary day, one that is added to the calendar to sync it up. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2024

Technically, February 29 is called an intercalary day, according to Timeanddate. — Jamie Carter, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024

Throughout the novel, we’re subjected to intercalary chapters about Alice and a menagerie of Vaudeville freaks who inhabit her psychotic hallucinations. — Ron Charles, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin intercalārius, from intercalāre "to intercalate" + -ārius -ary entry 2

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for intercalary

• raillery