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period

period

2.1
A length of time with a clear start and end, like a class or game segment
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪr.i.əd/
translation icon : periodo
  • In our school, each class lasts for one period, facilitating a structured learning environment.
  • a period of time
  • one-year period
  • long period

That is the central period of the Middle Ages.

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Examples

  • When does this pay period end, Jack?

  • It was a period of reorganization.

  • That is the central period of the Middle Ages.

  • The voting period has ended.

  • With devices available for extended periods of time, students quickly began to explore them.

    Academic text (2015)
  • I mean, we did this during the period of the first Gulf War.

  • The modern progressive state developed during a period of rapid scientific and demographic change.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The eighties was a significant period of transformation for Diana.

  • The math classes were timetabled for five periods per week; each period lasted 50 minutes.

    Academic text (2013)
  • I collected these histories over a four-week period of research during the summer of 2009.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

time
vsperiod
2.0

A particular occasion when something happens or you feel it

is a more formal term for a bounded segment rather than single moments
term
vsperiod
5.8

A fixed period of time during which something happens, for example a school session or a prison sentence

is a neutral time segment not necessarily official or fixed
era
vsperiod
775 2.5

A period of time marked by important events or features

is any bounded time segment, not always long or historic
phase
vsperiod
735 3.7

A stage in a process or cycle, like the Moon's appearance

is more general, covering any bounded time segment not only stages
space
vsperiod
381 3.1

A period of time between two events

is the standard term for a time segment with characteristics
spell
vsperiod
109 2.7

A short period of time when something happens, like bad weather

is broader and can mean short or long bounded segments
duration
vsperiod
104 2.8

How long something lasts

highlights the segment itself rather than just its lasting length
time period
vsperiod
93 2.2

A length of time that includes certain events

is the general term for any segment of time with boundaries
span
vsperiod
89 3.1

The distance or time between two points

is the standard word for a bounded time segment
interval
vsperiod
83 3.5

A period of time between two events

is broader, covering any time segment not only measured gaps
timescale
vsperiod
7 4.1

A period of time used to plan or describe when events happen

is the simple notion of a time segment without measurement system
time interval
vsperiod
4 3.3

A period between two events that you can measure

is a more general label for time segments with characteristics
timespan
vsperiod
1 3.4

A period of time between a start and an end

focuses more on labeled segments with clear boundaries
times
vsperiod
2.6

A period in history with particular events or ideas

is the neutral term for any time segment regardless of era quality

Compounds

93 2.2

A length of time that includes certain events

15 2.0

The first part of the playing time in a game, for example in hockey or basketball

11 2.7

The part of a sports game that comes after the first part

10 3.5

Extra time after a deadline when you can still do something without penalty

incubation period
  • Specialized
8 3.5

Time between becoming infected and showing symptoms

5 7.0

A play, film, or book that shows a past time in great detail

4 3.4

A fixed time when a person or thing is tested to see if they are suitable

4 1.0

A regular time during the day for eating lunch at school or work

Cretaceous period
  • Specialized
3 7.7

The time about 145 to 66 million years ago when many dinosaurs died out and flowering plants became common

gestation period
  • Specialized
3 3.7

The time a baby grows inside its mother before birth

3 2.5

A short time to relax and get energy back

1 1.8

A set time during the school day when a subject is taught

glacial period
  • Specialized
1 6.6

A long time when large parts of the Earth are covered by thick ice

Triassic period
  • Specialized
1 7.1

A time 252 to 201 million years ago when early dinosaurs first appeared

1 3.1

The last part of a sports game, for example hockey or basketball

1 3.1

Extra time played after normal time when the score is tied to decide a winner

1 2.7

A short time when a person or thing is checked to see if they are suitable

geological period
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A long time in Earth's history marked by certain rocks and fossils

Jurassic period
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A time about 201 to 145 million years ago when dinosaurs lived and pine forests were common

Carboniferous period
  • Specialized
1 8.4

A time about 345 to 280 million years ago when large swamp forests formed coal

Devonian period
  • Specialized
1 9.6

A time about 419 to 359 million years ago when fish were dominant and the first amphibians appeared

A time in European history from about 1600 to 1750 with rich, highly decorated art, buildings, and music

Time in a woman's cycle when she is most likely to become pregnant

latency period
  • Specialized
1 8.9

A childhood stage from about age five to puberty when sexual feelings are turned toward school and friends

A time in the past when important events or changes happen

The period after the Civil War in the United States from 1865 to 1877 when southern states rejoined the Union

Silurian period
  • Specialized
1 8.8

A time about 440 million years ago when the first animals began to breathe air and many shallow seas existed

Cambrian period
  • Specialized
7.9

The first period of the Paleozoic Era about 544 to 500 million years ago when many sea animals first appear

A set time when a person must work and be available

The last part of a period of time, for example a school year or concert

latent period
  • Specialized
6.1

The time between something happening and when its effects appear

A time when many writers write books or poems in a similar way and about the same ideas

9.9

An early part of the Carboniferous when primitive winged insects and early amphibians appear

Mississippian period
  • Specialized
9.9

A time about 345 to 310 million years ago with many shallow seas and early marine animals

3.8

A time when people develop a new product or idea before public release

neonatal period
  • Specialized
4.1

The first 28 days of a newborn's life

Quaternary period
  • Specialized
7.0

The most recent part of Earth's history covering the last two million years with ice ages and humans evolving

refractory period
  • Specialized
8.7

A short time after a nerve or muscle sends a signal when it cannot respond to another one

safe period
  • Indian
6.1

A time in a woman's cycle when she is least likely to get pregnant, usually before or after her period

orbit period
  • Specialized
6.0

The time an object takes to go once around a planet or star

Ordovician period
  • Specialized
9.5

A time about 485 to 444 million years ago when many sea animals lived

Pennsylvanian period
  • Specialized
9.2

A time about 323 to 299 million years ago when warm swamps make coal

A set time in a game or match when the action continues

Permian period
  • Specialized
8.1

A time about 299 to 251 million years ago when many new reptiles appear and a mass extinction happens

A part of a game when play happens for a set time

Precambrian period
  • Specialized
8.3

A very long time in Earth's early history with only very simple life like bacteria

Tertiary period
  • Archaic
8.1

A time about 63 million to 2 million years ago after the Cretaceous and before the Quaternary

9.9

A time about 310 to 280 million years ago with warm swampy land where much coal formed

How Long

era
775 2.5
period
2.1
while
1.0
moment
1.0
instant
232 1.0

Surface Forms

period singular
periods plural

Etymology

Period comes from the Greek word periodos, which means 'a way around' or a 'full turn', like a short repeating cycle. So a period in a game or at school is one fixed part of time, one complete part of the whole match or day.