summer

¹ American  

[suhm-er] / ˈsʌm ər /

noun

1. the season between spring and autumn, in the Northern Hemisphere from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox, and in the Southern Hemisphere from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox.

2. the period comprising the months of June, July, and August in the United States, and from the middle of May to the middle of August in Great Britain.

3. a period of hot, usually sunny weather.

   We had no real summer last year.

4. the hotter half of the year (winter ).

   They spend the summers in New Hampshire and the winters in Florida.

5. the period of finest development, perfection, or beauty previous to any decline.

   the summer of life.

6. a whole year as represented by this season.

   a girl of fifteen summers.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of summer.

   Iced tea is a summer drink.

2. appropriate for or done during the summer.

   summer clothes;

   summer sports.

3. having the weather or warmth of summer.

   summer days in late October.

verb (used without object)

1. to spend or pass the summer.

   They summered in Maine.

verb (used with object)

1. to keep, feed, or manage during the summer.

   Sheep are summered in high pastures.

2. to make summerlike.

summer ² American  

[suhm-er] / ˈsʌm ər /

Obsolete, somer

noun

1. a principal beam or girder, as one running between girts to support joists.

2. a stone laid upon a pier, column, or wall, from which one or more arches spring: usually molded or otherwise treated like the arch or arches springing from it.

3. a beam or lintel.

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summer ¹ British  

/ ˈsʌmə /

noun

1. (sometimes capital)

   1. the warmest season of the year, between spring and autumn, astronomically from the June solstice to the September equinox in the N hemisphere and at the opposite time of year in the S hemisphere

   2. ( as modifier )

      summer flowers

      a summer dress

2. the period of hot weather associated with the summer

3. a time of blossoming, greatest happiness, etc

4. poetic  a year represented by this season

   a child of nine summers

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verb

1. (intr) to spend the summer (at a place)

2. (tr) to keep or feed (farm animals) during the summer

   they summered their cattle on the mountain slopes

summer ² British  

/ ˈsʌmə /

noun

1. Also called: summer tree.  a large horizontal beam or girder, esp one that supports floor joists

2. another name for lintel

3. a stone on the top of a column, pier, or wall that supports an arch or lintel

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Other Word Forms

• summer-like adjective
• summeriness noun
• summerless adjective
• summerly adjective
• summery adjective

Etymology

Origin of summer¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English somer, Old English sumor; cognate with Dutch zomer, German Sommer, Old Norse sumar “summer”; akin to Sanskrit sámā “season, half-year, year,” Old Irish sam-, Old Welsh ham, Welsh haf “summer”

Origin of summer²

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English somer, from Anglo-French; Old French somier “packhorse, beam,” from unattested Vulgar Latin saumārius, equivalent to Latin sagm(a) “packsaddle” (from Greek ságma ) + -ārius noun suffix; -ary, -er ²

Example Sentences

Manchester United did not have to play particularly well to beat Crystal Palace on Sunday, and Eagles boss Oliver Glasner moaned afterwards about the club's failure to bring players in over the summer.

From BBC

Despite originally receiving information suggesting otherwise, we now understand the fee restriction that had originally been placed on the Owls through until the summer transfer window of 2027 will end in January.

From BBC

Wagner, who had signed a contract over the summer that runs through 2028, expressed disappointment at the decision in a statement announcing his departure "by mutual agreement".

From Barron's

When Habba’s temporary term was set to expire this summer, her district’s judges chose her deputy to lead the office instead.

From The Wall Street Journal

It follows the "Kensington Treaty" signed this summer between the UK and Germany, which included closer co-operation on defence and plans for easier travel between the two countries, including a direct rail link.

From BBC

Related Words

• summertime
• vacation