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 band’s recent performances have marked the debut of their new drummer Ilan Rubin, joined the band this summer after the Foos parted ways with Josh Freese, who had stepped in after the 2022 death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025

Beyond Blues introduces non-indigo dye options and versatile customization possibilities, while Airsoft features a fresh palette of luminous mid and light indigo tones, complemented by soft greys and blacks—perfect for spring-summer moods and relaxed silhouettes. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2025

Adjective

In total, Harrison wrote 14 books for the series, as well as a series of five mini-summer novellas and a Cliquetionary, a guide to the tween characters' slang. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025

Norris’ seventh-place finish was enough to narrow the gap to 25 points between him and Piastri with seven grands prix and three sprint races to go — a more achievable feat if Norris’ pre-summer form returns. —Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025

Verb

This is a homecoming of sorts for the centerman, who was obtained by the Avs at the deadline two years ago and signed by the team that summer only to be shipped to the B’s at the deadline last March. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 18 Oct. 2025

Nineteen miles west of town, Drew’s client Mike and his wife, Carol, summered in a neighborhood of attractive homes along the meandering Bluebird Creek, formerly Bog Creek. —Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 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