1the time taken by the earth to make one revolution around the sun.
2 (also calendar year or civil year) the period of 365 days (or 366 days in leap years) starting from the first of January, used for reckoning time in ordinary circumstances.
a period of twelve months measured from a point other than 1 January:it’s almost a year since his heart attack
[with adjective] a year regarded in terms of the quality of something produced:single-vineyard wine of a good year
a period similar to a year used for reckoning time according to other calendars:the Muslim year
3 (one's years) one’s age or time of life:she had a composure well beyond her years
4 (years) informal a very long time; ages:it’s going to take years to put that right
5a set of students grouped together as being of roughly similar ages, mostly entering a school or college in the same academic year:most of the girls in my year were leaving at the end of the term
in the year of grace (or Our Lord) ——
in the year —— ad:he was murdered in the year of grace 1618
[year of grace, suggested by medieval Latin anno gratiae, used by chroniclers]
—— of the year
a person or thing chosen as outstanding in a specified field or of a specified kind in a particular year:the sports personality of the year
put years on (or take years off) someone
make someone feel or look older (or younger):the daily grind of moneymaking can put years on a person
a year and a day
the period specified in some legal matters to ensure the completion of a full year.
