Year: meaning, definitions and examples

General use to refer to a period of 365 or 366 days. It is the most common and versatile term.

• I plan to travel next year
• This book was published last year

Used to emphasize the duration of a year as a collection of months. Often used for more formal or specific durations.

• The project will take 12 months to complete
• Babies grow a lot in their first 12 months

Formal contexts, often related to business, finance, or technical settings where a recurring 12-month cycle is being discussed.

• Our company reviews its goals every annual period
• This contract is valid for an annual period

Used to specify the period from January 1 to December 31, as opposed to a fiscal or academic year.

• The budget is allocated for the calendar year
• He will retire at the end of the calendar year

Use when referring to a period of 12 months, commonly in the context of dates, anniversaries, or annual events.

• I can't believe it's already the end of the year.
• She graduated last year.

Used to denote the length of time that someone or something has existed, often in the context of birthdays or historical periods.

• He retired at the age of 65.
• We are living in the age of technology.

Best used when referring to the length of time over which something happens or exists, often in more abstract or flexible terms compared to a year or age.

• The project was completed in a time span of six months.
• The time span of the dinosaur era fascinates scientists.

Refers to a series of events that are regularly repeated in the same order, commonly used in the context of natural processes, business terms, or recurring events.

• The seasons change in a cycle.
• The company is currently in the growth cycle.

Used to indicate a period of 12 months, usually from January to December, or to show someone's age.

• It has been a great year.
• She is 20 years old.

Indicates reaching an advanced stage of mental or emotional development, beyond just physical aging.

• Children need time to mature.
• He is mature for his age.

Describes the process of aging over time, often used in a personal or reflective manner.

• As you grow older, you gain more experiences.
• My dog is growing older and needs more care.

Refers to the length of time someone has lived or something has existed, or to an era in history.

• He is at the age where he starts to understand the world.
• We live in the digital age.