summer

1 of 3

noun

sum·​mer ˈsə-mər 

1

: the season between spring and autumn comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of June, July, and August or as reckoned astronomically extending from the June solstice to the September equinox

2

: the warmer half of the year

3

: year

a girl of seventeen summers

4

: a period of maturing powers

summerlike

ˈsə-mər-ˌlīk 

adjective

summer

2 of 3

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or suitable for summer

summer vacation

a summer home

2

: sown in the spring and harvested in the same year as sown

summer wheat

compare winter

summer

3 of 3

verb

summered; summering ˈsə-mə-riŋ 

ˈsəm-riŋ

intransitive verb

: to pass the summer

transitive verb

: to keep or carry through the summer

especially : to provide (cattle, sheep, etc.) with pasture during the summer

Examples of summer in a Sentence

Noun

What are your plans for this summer?

We visited them two summers ago.

the first day of summer

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Colombian scored 12 goals in 18 appearances as Al Nassr finished 13 points off champions Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, before moving to Fenerbahce in the summer. —Ali Rampling, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026

But Biden quickly sank in the late summer and fall, due in large part to a chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal and rising prices. —Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 9 Feb. 2026

Adjective

There’s a lot riding on the line for the pre-summer global launch of Michael to work, and by heading to the Super Bowl, Lionsgate is in it to win it. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 Feb. 2026

Winfrey has been making a case for post-summer whites—and turning her signature style on its head—while promoting her book, which delves into her health and weight-loss journey. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026

Verb

But when the couple is summering in Dubois, Wyoming, the errand looks very different. —Allison Hatfield, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026

These were people who were summering in the most exclusive summer hotel that existed. —Liz McNeil, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sumer, from Old English sumor; akin to Old High German & Old Norse sumer summer, Sanskrit samā year, season

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing summer

• high summer
• Indian summer
• Saint Martin's summer
• snow-in-summer
• St. Martin's summer
• summer cypress
• summer flounder
• summer home
• summer job
• summer kitchen
• summer savory
• summer school
• summer squash
• summer stock
• summer theater
• summer time

Rhymes for summer

• bummer
• comer
• drummer
• dumber
• hummer
• plumber
• plummer
• somer
• trimer
• midsummer
• newcomer

Kids Definition

summer

1 of 3 noun

sum·​mer ˈsəm-ər 

1

: the season between spring and autumn that usually includes the months of June, July, and August in the northern hemisphere

2

: the warmer half of the year

3

: one of the years of one's life

a child of eight summers

4

: a time of fulfillment

summer

2 of 3 adjective

: of or for the summer

summer flowers

a summer job

summer

3 of 3 verb

summered; summering ˈsəm-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to pass the summer

2

: to keep or carry through the summer

especially : to provide (as cattle or sheep) with pasture during the summer