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

Trump’s order authorized the calling up of 2,000 National Guard troops into federal service for a period of 60 days. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 June 2025

The first London dinner of its kind took place amid a period of international growth for Luminate, the entertainment data and analytics company that works across the music, film and TV industries and powers the Billboard music charts. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 9 June 2025

Net earnings for the quarter were $3.4 billion, down from $3.6 billion during the same period last year. —Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025

Consider strategic maintenance scheduling that moves beyond simply avoiding severe weather to identifying periods when the revenue opportunity cost is lowest based on long-term weather pattern analysis. —Renny Vandewege, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025