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 combinationtwo-year-old twins
a six-year-old dog
The winner is a 16-year-old from Kentucky.
b
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Photo : Rolex/Getty Scottie Scheffler: Rolex Submariner Scottie Scheffler wore the perfect Rolex to receive his green jacket at this year’s Masters.
—
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2024
The event is open to all makes, models and years of cars and motorcycles.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024
Staff writer Thomas Curwen reports that the bronze was most likely melted down for its valuable copper content and is part of a wave of attacks on public art that one official said was unprecedented in her 27 years with the Department of Cultural Affairs.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Looking for more on Michigan’s elections this year?
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 20 Apr. 2024
Nike shares rose nearly 2% this past week, but are down more than 11% so far this year and have fallen more than 23% over 12 months.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
Last year’s playoff success brought the city together.
—Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 20 Apr. 2024
As for Cabello, she’s set to release her album C, XOXO — which was teased on billboards en route to Coachella — later this year.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2024
Twenty-five years later, school shootings have only increased.
—Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2024
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2024
The event is open to all makes, models and years of cars and motorcycles.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024
Staff writer Thomas Curwen reports that the bronze was most likely melted down for its valuable copper content and is part of a wave of attacks on public art that one official said was unprecedented in her 27 years with the Department of Cultural Affairs.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Looking for more on Michigan’s elections this year?
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 20 Apr. 2024
Nike shares rose nearly 2% this past week, but are down more than 11% so far this year and have fallen more than 23% over 12 months.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
Last year’s playoff success brought the city together.
—Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 20 Apr. 2024
As for Cabello, she’s set to release her album C, XOXO — which was teased on billboards en route to Coachella — later this year.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2024
Twenty-five years later, school shootings have only increased.
—Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near year
Cite this Entry
“Year.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/year. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
year
noun1
: 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
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