plural dates
1
a
: a particular day of a month or year
The date of the party is March 1.
What's today's date?
They announced June 10th as their wedding date. [=they announced that they would get married on June 10th]
They have not yet set a date for the trial. [=they have not decided what day the trial will start on]
The decision will be made at a later/future date. [=at some time in the future]
your date of birth = your birth date [=the day you were born]
b
: writing that shows when something was done or made
The date on the letter was the 26th of April.
a coin with a date of 1902
2
: an agreement to meet someone at a particular time or on a particular day
He set up a date [=(more commonly) appointment] to meet with his professor.
"So we'll meet for coffee next Tuesday?" "Yes. It's a date." [=I agree to meet you then]
3
a
: an occasion when two people who have or might have a romantic relationship do an activity together
We went (out) on a few dates last year.
She asked him (out) on a date.
They went to an Italian restaurant on their first date.
I'm going (out) on a date with him tomorrow night. = I have a date with him tomorrow night.
b
chiefly US
: a person you have a date with
I have to pick up my date at seven o'clock.
Are you bringing a date to the dance?
He has a different date every night. [=he dates a different person every night]
dates; dated; dating
1
chiefly US
: to do an activity with someone you have or might have a romantic relationship with : to go on a date or several dates with (someone)
She dated a couple of guys during college.
He only dates younger women.
They dated a couple of times. [=they went on a couple of dates]
They've been dating for six months.
I haven't dated [=gone on a date] in 20 years.
2
: to write the date on (something)
Don't forget to sign and date the application.
The letter was not dated.
a memo dated July 12th, 2003
a coin dated 1902
3
: to show or find out when (something) was made or produced
Historians date the document to the early 1700s.
The ancient building was dated by a coin found in one of the rooms.
Scientists use various techniques to date fossils.
4
: to show or prove that (someone or something) is old or from a long time ago : to make (someone or something) seem old-fashioned or out-of-date
The decor really dates the house.
I'm dating myself in saying this, but I remember when cell phones were rare.
5
: to begin to exist : to appear for the first time
This bowl dates from the sixth century. [=this bowl was made in the sixth century]
a custom that dates back [=goes back] 400 years [=a custom that began 400 years ago]
They found jewelry dating back to [=that was made in] the 1700s.
a set of rules dating as far back as the Middle Ages
Cite this Entry
“Date.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/date. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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