year
UK: jɪə | US: jɪr
n. a period of 365 or 366 days, divided into 12 months, used as a measure of time
n. a period of approximately the same length in other calendars (e.g., lunar year)
n. a specific period associated with an event or activity (e.g., academic year)
The word "year" traces back to Old English ġēar, which itself derives from Proto-Germanic jǣram. This root is linked to the Proto-Indo-European yēr-, meaning "year" or "season." The concept has remained remarkably stable across languages, reflecting the universal human need to measure cyclical time. Unlike many modern English words, "year" has no separable prefixes or suffixes—it is a compact, ancient term preserved almost intact from its Germanic ancestors.
She traveled abroad for a year to study art.
The fiscal year ends on December 31st.
He won the championship three years in a row.
A Martian year is nearly twice as long as an Earth year.
The school updates its curriculum every year.