year Definition

year
noun

1a. The period of time the Earth takes to go once round the Sun, about 365¼ days;
1b. The equivalent time for any other planet.
2. The period between 1 January and 31 December, 365 days in a normal year, 366 days in a leap year.

Form: calendar year (also)
3. Any period of twelve months.
4. A period of less than 12 months during which some activity is carried on.

Example: an academic year runs from September to June
5. A period of study at school, college, etc over an academic year.

Example: She's in third year now
6. Students at a particular stage in their studies, considered as a group. See also years.

Example: had a meeting with the third year this morning
7. colloq
A student belonging to a specified year.
Example: He's a second-year now

Idiom: since the year dot

Used when exaggerating a period of time: since the beginning of time.

Idiom: year in, year out

Happening, done, etc every year, with tedious regularity.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon gear.