Synonyms of period

period

noun

ˈpir-ē-əd 

1

as in monthlies

an occurrence of menstruating

she hoped her period wouldn't start until she got home

Synonyms & Similar Words

• monthlies
• menstruation
• menses

2

as in day

an extent of time associated with a particular person or thing

the Romantic period in music

Synonyms & Similar Words

• day
• era
• time
• age
• epoch
• year
• cycle
• generation
• span
• date
• while
• space
• spell
• bit
• stretch
• vintage

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun period differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of period are age, epoch, and era. While all these words mean "a division of time," period may designate an extent of time of any length.

periods of economic prosperity

When is age a more appropriate choice than period?

The synonyms age and period are sometimes interchangeable, but age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature.

the age of Samuel Johnson

When might epoch be a better fit than period?

In some situations, the words epoch and period are roughly equivalent. However, epoch applies to a period begun or set off by some significant or striking quality, change, or series of events.

the steam engine marked a new epoch in industry

When would era be a good substitute for period?

The words era and period can be used in similar contexts, but era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things.

the era of global communications

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of period

Newsom’s own budget agrees with the Census Bureau’s data for the same period and projects future construction through 2028 at 100,000 to 104,000 units a year. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025

Investigators learned there was a group of at least two men and two women, all aged 25-30 years old, who were hanging out in the area of the pier parking lot for a period of time before walking south to 5100 Narragansett Ave. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025

When the film hits the 1850s, Hawley says there was a broader sweep of the period. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025

The back-and-forth pace continued in the second half, as the Trail Blazers opened the third quarter on a 15-7 run to pull ahead by one points just five minutes into the period. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025