summer

1 of 3

noun

sum·​mer ˈsə-mər How to pronounce summer (audio)
1
: the season between spring and autumn comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of June, July, and August or as reckoned astronomically extending from the June solstice to the September equinox
2
: the warmer half of the year
3
: year
a girl of seventeen summers
4
: a period of maturing powers
summerlike adjective

summer

2 of 3

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or suitable for summer
summer vacation
a summer home
2
: sown in the spring and harvested in the same year as sown
summer wheat
compare winter

summer

3 of 3

verb

summered; summering ˈsə-mə-riŋ How to pronounce summer (audio)
ˈsəm-riŋ

intransitive verb

: to pass the summer

transitive verb

: to keep or carry through the summer
especially : to provide (cattle, sheep, etc.) with pasture during the summer

Examples of summer in a Sentence

Noun What are your plans for this summer? We visited them two summers ago. the first day of summer
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Of course, five minutes in the attic on a summer day, or one accidental brush against the insulation, quickly drives home the reality that the attic is just an attic. Caleb Harris, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 But, the days gradually begin to lengthen from there until the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year. Cailey Gleeson, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The new allowances cut summer units from 10 to 8 and non-summer units from 6 to 5. Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 7 July 2023 Those beach days might be long behind us, but the supermodel is still making the most of her post-summer glow. Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 4 Nov. 2022
Verb
This American heiress summering in Cannes has just met Grant’s former cat burglar. Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2024 Now go and get shopping before they—and summer itself—set like the fading sun. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for summer 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sumer, from Old English sumor; akin to Old High German & Old Norse sumer summer, Sanskrit samā year, season

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of summer was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near summer

Cite this Entry

“Summer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/summer. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

summer

1 of 3 noun
sum·​mer ˈsəm-ər How to pronounce summer (audio)
1
: the season between spring and autumn that usually includes the months of June, July, and August in the northern hemisphere
2
: the warmer half of the year
3
: one of the years of one's life
a child of eight summers
4
: a time of fulfillment

summer

2 of 3 adjective
: of or for the summer
summer flowers
a summer job

summer

3 of 3 verb
summered; summering ˈsəm-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce summer (audio)
1
: to pass the summer
2
: to keep or carry through the summer
especially : to provide (as cattle or sheep) with pasture during the summer

More from Merriam-Webster on summer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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