Julian calendar

noun

Ju·​lian calendar ˈjül-yən- 

: a calendar introduced in Rome in 46 b.c. establishing the 12-month year of 365 days with each fourth year having 366 days and the months each having 31 or 30 days except for February which has 28 or in leap years 29 days compare gregorian calendar

Examples of Julian calendar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When the Julian calendar was later refined into the Gregorian calendar in 1582, the tradition of adding a leap day to February persisted. —Detroit Free Press, 26 Feb. 2024

Eastern Orthodox Christians follow the earlier Julian calendar in dating religious events, hence their different date for Easter. —Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2024

Indeed, his birthday was denominated as February 11, 1731, under the Julian calendar in use at the time. —The Editors, National Review, 19 Feb. 2024

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has taken the position that the Julian calendar used in the Russian church does not have religious significance, and that holidays should be celebrated according to the calendar by which people live their daily lives. —Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2023

Unlike Roman Catholics who use the Gregorian calendar, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine previously celebrated holidays under the Julian calendar with the Russian Orthodox Church, which celebrates Christmas on January 7. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 29 July 2023

Saturday's strikes shattered a relative calm as Ukrainians celebrated Orthodox New Year, or Malanka, a traditional holiday that is aligned with the older Julian calendar rather than the newer Gregorian one. —Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Latin julianus, from Gaius Julius Caesar

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Julian calendar

noun

Ju·​lian calendar ˌjül-yən- 

: a calendar introduced in Rome in 46 b.c. establishing the 12-month year of 365 days with each fourth year having 366 days and the months each having 31 or 30 days except for February which has 28 or in leap years 29 days compare gregorian calendar