leap year

noun

1
: a year in the Gregorian calendar containing 366 days with February 29 as the extra day
2
: an intercalary year in any calendar

Examples of leap year in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But what if the year is a leap year, with 366 days? Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026 There is one other possible month combination for three in one calendar year that requires a leap year beginning on a Sunday, in which case January, April and July will have a Friday the 13th. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026 The last leap year was in 2024. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 3 Feb. 2026 Three hundred and sixty-five days of Trump means a thousand and ninety-six to go, including a leap year. Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leap year

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of leap year was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Leap year.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leap%20year. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

leap year

noun
: a year in the Gregorian calendar containing 366 days with February 29 as the extra day

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