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
To those who struggled with it, don’t worry — there’s always next year.
—
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2024
Last year, Forbes estimated his net worth at at least $100 million.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
The company maintains a tax holiday for a subsidiary in the APAC region, which contributed to a lower effective tax rate of 13.7% for the year.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Poetry in the Age of Disenchantment by Charles Taylor
Ukraine Divided
Almost three years after the beginning of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine is not defeated, but Russia is not victorious, either.
—Erin Maglaque, The New York Review of Books, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for year 
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Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2024
Last year, Forbes estimated his net worth at at least $100 million.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
The company maintains a tax holiday for a subsidiary in the APAC region, which contributed to a lower effective tax rate of 13.7% for the year.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Poetry in the Age of Disenchantment by Charles Taylor
Ukraine Divided
Almost three years after the beginning of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine is not defeated, but Russia is not victorious, either.
—Erin Maglaque, The New York Review of Books, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for year
Dictionary Entries Near year
Cite this Entry
“Year.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/year. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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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