Julian calendar

American  

[jool-yuhn kal-uhn-der] / ˈdʒul yən ˈkæl ən dər /

noun

1. the calendar established by Julius Caesar in 46 b.c., fixing the length of the year at 365 days and at 366 days every fourth year: there are 12 months of 30 or 31 days, except for February, which has 28 days with the exception of every fourth year, or leap year, when it has 29 days.

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Julian calendar British  

noun

1. the calendar introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 _bc , identical to the present calendar in all but two aspects: the beginning of the year was not fixed on Jan 1 and leap years occurred every fourth year and in every centenary year Compare Gregorian calendar

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Etymology

Origin of Julian calendar

First recorded in 1650–60

Compare meaning

How does julian-calendar compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Gregorian calendar vs. Julian calendar

Example Sentences

The foundations for representative government, the 365-day Julian calendar, modern sanitation, newspapers, roads and the postal system were established in Rome.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

Foula - which is home to less than 40 people - never fully adopted the modern Gregorian calendar, preferring instead to follow some of the traditions of the Julian calendar.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2025

It traditionally followed the Julian calendar, like Russia, where Christmas falls on 7 January.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2024

He eliminated some extra days accumulated on the Julian calendar and tweaked the rules on leap day.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 24, 2024

The Julian calendar, which Scaliger named after his father, counts the days since Day 0.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann