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Period Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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period

[ˈpɪəriəd ]

Definitions

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
period

This word is commonly used in American English to refer to the punctuation mark at the end of a sentence. It can also indicate a length of time or a point in time.

  • She ended the sentence with a period.
  • The project needs to be finished within a two-week period.
  • The Renaissance period produced many famous artists.
full stop

This term is mainly used in British English to refer to the punctuation mark at the end of a sentence. It can also imply an emphatic end to a statement or argument.

  • Put a full stop at the end of the sentence.
  • I don't want to discuss this anymore, 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.

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Word Description / Examples
period

Used to refer to a length of time in which something happens or is planned to happen, often with a distinct start and end.

  • The project will be completed within a six-month period.
  • She was absent for a brief period due to illness.
time frame

Refers to the specific span of time in which a project or activity is expected to occur. Often used in a more planning or scheduling context.

  • We need to work within a tight time frame to meet the deadline.
  • What is the time frame for completing this task?
interval

Typically used to describe a pause or break between events, or a specific period of time between occurrences. Often used in scientific, mathematical, and performance contexts.

  • The interval between the two events was about ten minutes.
  • Please remain seated during the interval between acts.

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
period

This word is used to describe a length of time or a span of events. It can also refer to a punctuation mark used at the end of a sentence.

  • The Jurassic period was full of dinosaurs.
  • Please note, this sentence ends with a period.
musical phrase

This phrase is used in music to describe a sequence of notes that has a unique musical idea or sense of completion. It’s a basic building block in music composition.

  • The musical phrase in this song is very catchy.
  • In Mozart's symphony, each musical phrase flows beautifully into the next.

Examples of usage

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

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In physics, a period refers to the duration of one cycle of a wave, crucial in wave mechanics.
  • In biology, a menstrual period marks the monthly cycle in females, linked to reproductive health.
  • The Earth completes a period of rotation every 24 hours, leading to day and night.

Cultural Significance

  • The concept of a period has been used in literature as a dividing line to separate thoughts, making writing clearer.
  • Different cultures have various interpretations of 'periods', including historical eras (e.g., Renaissance, Victorian Period).
  • In music, a period describes a complete musical thought or phrase, contributing to the overall structure of a piece.

Literature

  • Authors use periods to create pauses, giving readers time to reflect before moving to the next idea.
  • In poetry, a period can signify the end of a stanza, adding rhythm and flow to the work.
  • Many literary experts discuss the significance of periods in shaping narrative pacing and emotional impact.

Technology

  • In programming, a period is often a critical character, used in file types and object-oriented languages.
  • Time tracking tools use periods to measure productivity across tasks and projects.
  • The clock uses periods to divide time into segments, showing hours, minutes, and seconds distinctly.

Origin of 'period'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Greek word 'periodos', meaning 'a going around' or 'a cycle'.
  • In ancient Rome, it referred to regular intervals of time, emphasizing the structure of time.
  • In English, its use started in the late 14th century, evolving to express specific lengths of time and punctuation.

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.