Gregorian calendar

American  

[gri-gawr-ee-uhn kal-uhn-der] / grɪˈgɔr i ən ˈkæl ən dər /

noun

1. the reformed Julian calendar now in use, according to which the ordinary year consists of 365 days, and a leap year of 366 days occurs in every year whose number is exactly divisible by 4 except centenary years whose numbers are not exactly divisible by 400, such as 1700, 1800, and 1900.

---

Gregorian calendar British  

noun

1. the revision of the Julian calendar introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII and still in force, whereby the ordinary year is made to consist of 365 days and a leap year occurs in every year whose number is divisible by four, except those centenary years, such as 1900, whose numbers are not divisible by 400

---

Etymology

Origin of Gregorian calendar

First recorded in 1640–50; named after Pope Gregory XIII; see -ian

Compare meaning

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

• Gregorian calendar vs. Julian calendar

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Gregorian calendar

Each full Moon in a year has a name - a practice that dates back to ancient traditions centuries before the Gregorian calendar existed.

From BBC ● Dec. 3, 2025

This is because they follow the Julian calendar, unlike Christian denominations which follow the Gregorian calendar.

From BBC ● Jan. 6, 2025

The Gregorian calendar, intended to more accurately mark the solar year, was adopted in 1752, adding 11 days.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 17, 2024

Modern China actually uses a Gregorian calendar like most of the rest of the world.

From National Geographic ● Feb. 5, 2024

Caesar’s scheme, in turn, remained the standard in the Western world for some 1,600 years, forming the basis of the Gregorian calendar we use today.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro