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Glite Dictionary
B.C.E.

B.C.E.

5.2
A short form that shows years before the Common Era
  • adverb
translation icon : a.C.E.
  • The pyramids were built around 2500 B.C.E..

Examples

  • The first known civilization emerged in Mesopotamia in 3500 B.C.E..

  • Alexander the Great died in 323 B.C.E., marking the end of an era.

  • Historians believe the artifact dates back to 500 B.C.E..

  • The temple was built in the third century B.C.E. and still stands today.

  • Alexander the Great died in 323 B.C.E., marking the end of an era.

  • Historians believe the artifact dates back to 500 B.C.E..

  • The temple was built in the third century B.C.E. and still stands today.

Synonyms

before Christ
vsB.C.E.
2 4.8

Placed after a year number to show the year is before the birth of Jesus Christ

is replaced by a neutral abbreviation to avoid explicit religious wording
BCE
vsB.C.E.
1 4.4

A label that comes after a year number to show the year is before the Common Era

uses periods in the abbreviation instead of plain letters
B.C.
vsB.C.E.
3.4

A mark after a year that shows the year is before the birth of Jesus

opts for a secular variant to avoid the religious term
BC
vsB.C.E.
2.9

Placed after a year to show the year is before the birth of Christ

serves as a neutral alternative preferred in nonreligious contexts

Surface Forms

B.C.E. positive
BCE positive

Etymology

B.C.E. stands for 'Before the Common Era', a neutral way to say the same time as B.C. ('Before Christ'). So, B.C.E. is used to mark years that come 'before' year 1 in the usual calendar, and many people prefer it because it does not use religious words.