Year

Definition

Year refers to a period of 12 months or approximately 365.25 days, representing the time it takes for the Earth to complete one orbit around the Sun. It is a standard unit of time used in calendars.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /jɪr/
• Respelling: YEER

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /jɪə/
• Respelling: YEER or YE-uh

Etymology

The word "year" originates from Old English "ġēar," derived from Proto-Germanic "jēr," and Proto-Indo-European "yēro," meaning "season" or "year." It has been used across languages to denote a cycle of time marked by Earth's revolution around the Sun.

Derivatives

• Yearly (adjective/adverb)
• Yearbook (noun)
• Yearlong (adjective)
• New Year (noun)
• Year-end (noun/adjective)

Synonyms

• Calendar year
• Fiscal year
• Annual cycle

Antonyms

• None

Usage

The noun "year" is used to measure time, as in "This year has been very eventful." It is also used to describe age, for example, "He is 10 years old."

Related Terms

• Month: A division of the year, typically 12 per calendar year.
• Day: A 24-hour period, a unit of time within a year.
• Season: A subdivision of the year based on weather patterns or daylight hours.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A period of 12 months or 365.25 days: Refers to the duration of Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
  • Example: "A leap year occurs every four years."
• A division of time marked by events or age: Describes an interval used for calculation or milestones.
  • Example: "The child turned five years old today."
• A measure of time in astronomical terms: Refers to the sidereal or tropical year used in astronomy.
  • Example: "The light from distant stars may take millions of years to reach Earth."