PERIOD | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

late Middle English (denoting the time during which something, especially a disease, runs its course): from Old French periode, via Latin from Greek periodos ‘orbit, recurrence, course’, from peri- ‘around’ + hodos ‘way, course’. The sense ‘portion of time’ dates from the early 17th century

a length or portion of time

length or portion of time

• he had long periods of depression
• the period 1977–85
• the training period is between 16 and 18 months
• the ale will be available for a limited period

the interval of time between successive occurrences of the same state in an oscillatory or cyclic phenomenon, such as a mechanical vibration, an alternating current, a variable star, or an electromagnetic wave.

interval between successive occurrences of same state

a flow of blood and other material from the lining of the uterus, occurring in non-pregnant women at intervals of about 28 days between puberty and the menopause and typically lasting for a few days

monthly flow of blood etc. from uterus

• she's got her period
• period pains

a punctuation mark (.) used at the end of a sentence or an abbreviation; a full stop.

full stop

a set of elements occupying a horizontal row in the periodic table.

set of elements occupying horizontal row in periodic table

a complex sentence, especially one consisting of several clauses, constructed as part of a formal speech or oration.

complex sentence

belonging to or characteristic of a past historical time, especially in style or design

belonging to past historical time

• an attractive and beautifully modernized period house
• a splendid selection of period furniture