Periods
'pɪəriədz
Definitions
3 meaningsA length of time during which something occurs or is done.
'pɪəriədz
A length or portion of time.
The class meets for a 50-minute period.
💡 Simply: Imagine a chapter in a book. A period is like a chapter, a section of time when something happens. Like the period of time you spend at school or the period of a historical event.
👶 For kids: A period is a chunk of time, like when you're in class, or the time it takes for the Earth to go around the sun.
More Examples
The Roman Empire flourished during a long period of peace.
We're going through a difficult period right now.
How It's Used
"The Renaissance was a significant period in European history."
"She spent her study periods in the library."
"The game consists of three periods."
A punctuation mark (.) used to indicate the end of a sentence or an abbreviation.
'pɪəriəd
The conclusion of a sentence.
The sentence is finished.
💡 Simply: It's that little dot at the end of a sentence! It tells you that you're done with that thought.
👶 For kids: It's a tiny dot like this '.' that tells you a sentence is finished.
More Examples
Always use a period at the end of a declarative sentence.
The abbreviation for Dr. is followed by a period.
How It's Used
"Remember to end your sentences with a period."
"Use a period to show a complete thought."
The monthly discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the uterus.
'pɪəriəd
Menstrual cycle.
She gets a period every month.
💡 Simply: When a woman's body sheds the lining of her uterus. It's a normal part of being a woman.
👶 For kids: Sometimes girls have a special time of the month, like a little bleed. It's called a period.
More Examples
Her period is irregular.
Many women experience mood swings during their period.
How It's Used
"She is having her period this week."
"Cramps are a common symptom of a period."
From Late Latin *periodus*, from Greek *periodos* ('a going around, a cycle'), from *peri* ('around') + *hodos* ('a way, a journey').
Historically, the word 'period' has been used to denote both a segment of time and the concluding point of a sentence, mirroring its current usage.
Memory tip
Think of a cycle – a period is a cycle of time.