year

noun

1
a
: the period of about 3651/4 solar days required for one revolution of the earth around the sun
b
: the time required for the apparent sun to return to an arbitrary fixed or moving reference point in the sky
c
: the time in which a planet completes a revolution about the sun
two Mercury years
2
a
: a cycle in the Gregorian calendar of 365 or 366 days divided into 12 months beginning with January and ending with December
b
: a period of time equal to one year of the Gregorian calendar but beginning at a different time
3
: a calendar year specified usually by a number
died in the year 1900
4
years plural : a time or era having a special significance
their glory years
5
a
: 12 months that constitute a measure of age or duration
her 21st year
The twins are two years old.
often used in combination
two-year-old twins
a six-year-old dog
The winner is a 16-year-old from Kentucky.
b
years plural : age
wise beyond her years
also : the final stage of the normal life span
6
: a period of time (such as the usually 9-month period in which a school is in session) other than a calendar year

Examples of year in a Sentence

I haven't seen her in a year. He quit smoking six years ago. The job pays $45,000 a year. She renews her lease every year. We see them once or twice a year. It feels like we've been standing in line for a year. That team hasn't won in years. It's been years since I've been on an airplane. The work should be done by the end of the year. She was born in the year 1967. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Just one year after creating the fencing company, Glidden sold his half of the business to the Washburn and Moen Manufacturing Company of Worcester, Massachusetts, according to Encyclopedia online. Brittany Kasko, Fox News, 24 Nov. 2023 Looking back at the past year, however, there were signs that the partnership might be fraying. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2023 The prequel takes place 64 years before the events of The Hunger Games, which starred Jennifer Lawrence. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Nov. 2023 Construction is set to begin next year and could cost $2.2 million or more. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Nov. 2023 Thousands of kids a year are hospitalized with RSVr RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis, a breathing problem that affects young children. Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 23 Nov. 2023 Falling gas prices come even as more than 55 million people are expected to hit the roads for Thanksgiving this year, marking the busiest turkey day travel rush in several years, according to AAA's estimate. Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 23 Nov. 2023 Her trophy case also includes the 2019 Ballon d’Or Féminin, as the world’s best female soccer player, the 2019 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year, the 2019 FIFA award for best female player in the world and a Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded last year. Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2023 Across greater Miami, there were 17.1 million hotel room nights sold in 2022, up 12.7 percent from the year before. Kathryn Romeyn, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'year.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English yere, from Old English gēar; akin to Old High German jār year, Greek hōros year, hōra season, hour

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of year was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near year

Cite this Entry

“Year.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/year. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

year

noun
1
: the period of about 365¼ days required for the earth to make one complete trip around the sun
2
: a period of 365 days or in leap year 366 days beginning January 1
3
: a period of time usually shorter than a calendar year
a school year of nine months
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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