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

Kevin Lankinen allowed four goals on 22 shots before getting pulled midway through the second period. —ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026

The Warriors defense prevented any further damage with defensive effort that limited Seacrest to only six points in the period. —Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026

The novel opens with a writer remembering her 16-year-old self during a transformational period in her life in which all her teenage gestures toward autonomy are preemptively smothered by her mother. —Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026

Waunakee got on the board just 38 seconds into the third period when Andrew Mussallem gathered in a pass directly in front of the goal and tapped it into the upper left part of the net. —Jim Hoehn, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026