Year: meaning, definitions and examples

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year

[jɪər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

calendar

A period of 365 or 366 days, in the Gregorian calendar divided into 12 months, starting from January 1st and ending on December 31st.

Synonyms

12 months, annual period, calendar year.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
year	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
12 months	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
annual period	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
calendar year	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

Examples of usage

The year 2022 has 365 days.
She was born in the year 1990.
They got married last year.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

age

The time taken by a planet to make one revolution around the sun, for Earth it is approximately 365.25 days.

Synonyms

age, cycle, time span.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
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.
age	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.
time span	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.
cycle	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.

Examples of usage

He is 30 years old.
She is a few years younger than me.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

age

To grow older, to become older through the passage of time.

Synonyms

age, grow older, mature.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
year	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.
mature	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.
grow older	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.
age	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.

Examples of usage

We all yearn to grow old gracefully.
The wine will improve with age.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'year' comes from the Old English 'gēar', which is linked to the Proto-Germanic term 'jēr', meaning 'a season of the year'.
Ancient cultures often divided the year based on seasons, such as spring, summer, autumn, and winter, forming the basis for calendars.
Different languages have unique words for 'year'; for instance, in Latin, it is 'annus', which relates to the word 'annual' we use today.

Cultural Significance

Different cultures celebrate the new year on various dates; for example, many celebrate it on January 1, while others, like the Chinese, typically celebrate in late January or early February.
The concept of a leap year, which adds an extra day in February every four years, helps keep our calendars in sync with the Earth’s orbit.
Many traditions, like New Year's resolutions, are based on the idea of starting fresh and making improvements for the coming year.

Science

A standard year (solar year) is about 365.24 days long, which is why we have leap years to keep our calendar aligned with the Earth's position in its orbit.
Some planets have very different year lengths; for instance, a year on Venus is about 225 Earth days, while a year on Neptune lasts over 165 Earth years!
The year length can also vary based on celestial events; for example, a sidereal year measuring stellar positions is slightly longer than a solar year.

Psychology

The way we perceive years can influence our behavior; studies show that people often set goals more fervently at the start of a new year due to the 'fresh start effect'.
A person's age, calculated in years, often affects their self-esteem, responsibilities, and social expectations, shaping their experiences and opportunities.
Annual events can create a sense of nostalgia, provoking deep emotional responses tied to memories of previous years.

Literature

Many literary works are organized by time periods involving years, such as 'the Roaring Twenties' or 'the Victorian Era', which reflect cultural happenings.
Great works often revolve around significant years, such as 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens, set during the upheaval of the French Revolution in the late 18th century.
Poems celebrating the passage of time often use years as measures for reflection, like Robert Frost's 'Nothing Gold Can Stay', which hints at the fleeting nature of time.

Translations

Translations of the word "year" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ano

🇮🇳 साल

🇩🇪 Jahr

🇮🇩 tahun

🇺🇦 рік

🇵🇱 rok

🇯🇵 年 (ねん)

🇫🇷 année

🇪🇸 año

🇹🇷 yıl

🇰🇷 년 (nyeon)

🇸🇦 سنة (sana)

🇨🇿 rok

🇸🇰 rok

🇨🇳 年 (nián)

🇸🇮 leto

🇮🇸 ár

🇰🇿 жыл

🇬🇪 წელი (ts'eli)

🇦🇿 il

🇲🇽 año

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #69, 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.

...
66 upon
67 each
68 well
69 year
70 like
71 see
72 many
...