Period: meaning, definitions and examples

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period

 

[ ˈpɪəriəd ]

Context #1 | Noun

at the end of a sentence

A period is a punctuation mark (.) placed at the end of a sentence to indicate a full stop. It is used to show the completion of a thought or idea.

Synonyms

full stop

Examples of usage

  • She finished her essay with a period.
  • Please remember to use a period at the end of each sentence.
Context #2 | Noun

in time measurement

A period refers to a specific length of time, such as a day, week, or month. It is often used in discussing historical eras or scientific cycles.

Synonyms

interval, time frame

Examples of usage

  • The Jurassic period lasted approximately 56 million years.
  • She is in her study period for exams.
Context #3 | Noun

in music

In music, a period is a complete musical thought, often consisting of two phrases. It is a basic unit of musical structure.

Synonyms

musical phrase

Examples of usage

  • The melody followed a classical period structure.
  • The composer utilized a four-bar period.

Translations

Translations of the word "period" in other languages:

🇵🇹 período

🇮🇳 अवधि

🇩🇪 Zeitraum

🇮🇩 periode

🇺🇦 період

🇵🇱 okres

🇯🇵 期間

🇫🇷 période

🇪🇸 período

🇹🇷 dönem

🇰🇷 기간

🇸🇦 فترة

🇨🇿 období

🇸🇰 obdobie

🇨🇳 时期

🇸🇮 obdobje

🇮🇸 tímabil

🇰🇿 кезең

🇬🇪 პერიოდი

🇦🇿 dövr

🇲🇽 período

Etymology

The word 'period' originates from the Latin word 'periodus', which in turn comes from the Greek word 'periodos' meaning 'a cycle'. The term has evolved over time to encompass various meanings in different contexts, reflecting the concept of completion or a specific time frame.

See also: periodic, periodical, periodically, periods.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #163, this word is extremely common in English. It's a crucial part of basic vocabulary that's used constantly in both spoken and written communication, making it essential for even basic conversations.