1
a
: the period of about 3651/4 solar days required for one revolution of the earth around the sun
b
: the time required for the apparent sun to return to an arbitrary fixed or moving reference point in the sky
c
: the time in which a planet completes a revolution about the sun
two Mercury years
2
a
: a cycle in the Gregorian calendar of 365 or 366 days divided into 12 months beginning with January and ending with December
b
: a period of time equal to one year of the Gregorian calendar but beginning at a different time
3
: a calendar year specified usually by a number
died in the year 1900
4
years plural
: a time or era having a special significance
their glory years
5
a
: 12 months that constitute a measure of age or duration
her 21st year
The twins are two years old.
—often used in combinationtwo-year-old twins
a six-year-old dog
The winner is a 16-year-old from Kentucky.
b
6
: a period of time (such as the usually 9-month period in which a school is in session) other than a calendar year
Examples of year in a Sentence
I haven't seen her in a year.
He quit smoking six years ago.
The job pays $45,000 a year.
She renews her lease every year.
We see them once or twice a year.
It feels like we've been standing in line for a year.
That team hasn't won in years.
It's been years since I've been on an airplane.
The work should be done by the end of the year.
She was born in the year 1967.
Recent Examples on the Web
Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.
—
Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2026
The Los Angeles County district attorney is investigating whether Southern California Edison should be criminally prosecuted for its actions in last year’s devastating Eaton wildfire, which killed 19 people and left thousands of families homeless, the company said Wednesday.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Takaichi proposes a two-year sales tax cut on food products to ease household living costs.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
Today, Korean beauty brands are sold widely in stores across America, including Costco, Target and Sephora – the latter in January 2026 signed a notable partnership with Olive Young, prompting the K-beauty retailer to open its own stores in the US for the first time this year.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for year
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Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2026
The Los Angeles County district attorney is investigating whether Southern California Edison should be criminally prosecuted for its actions in last year’s devastating Eaton wildfire, which killed 19 people and left thousands of families homeless, the company said Wednesday.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Takaichi proposes a two-year sales tax cut on food products to ease household living costs.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
Today, Korean beauty brands are sold widely in stores across America, including Costco, Target and Sephora – the latter in January 2026 signed a notable partnership with Olive Young, prompting the K-beauty retailer to open its own stores in the US for the first time this year.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for year
Cite this Entry
“Year.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/year. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
year
noun1
: the period of about 365¼ days required for the earth to make one complete trip around the sun
2
: a period of 365 days or in leap year 366 days beginning January 1
3
: a period of time usually shorter than a calendar year
a school year of nine months
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