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February
[ feb-roo-er-ee, feb-yoo‑ ]
noun
- the second month of the year, ordinarily containing 28 days, but containing 29 days in leap years. : Feb.
February
/ ˈfɛbrʊərɪ /
noun
- the second month of the year, consisting of 28 or (in a leap year) 29 days
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Pronunciation Note
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of February1
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Example Sentences
Amazingly, in February, Americans were feeling incredibly bullish.
The Capital and ProPublica asked the housing authority in July why officials required Brown to pay the full rent in February after the agency confirmed that she was unemployed.
Shares of the company now trade 38% below their debut in February even as the S&P 500 climbs to new highs.
A bundle Bloomberg Media and The Information announced in February, for example, has already been unwound.
Despite assurances throughout January and February that Europe was successfully containing the virus, it had silently taken hold of the continent and officials were beginning to realize that a larger crisis was looming.
In February, Slovakia will have a referendum on whether marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman.
This past February, another member, Fernando Gonzalez, was sent back to Cuba.
And back in February, he lost a close pal in Philip Seymour Hoffman.
By the end of February, as Hitler consolidated his power, his decision was made: He would not—indeed, could not—remain.
Political tensions are underlying every move in Nigeria, where, in February, the next presidential candidates will be nominated.
The work was commenced in June, 1882, the memorial stone being laid February 15th, the following year.
At last he arrived at Dieppe, and, after a sojourn there, he put to sea upon the 26th of this same month of February.
On February 18th the French captured the suburb on the left bank of the river, and thus placed the inner town between two fires.
After the surrender of Comyn and his adherents in February 1303–4, he threw himself heartily into the pursuit of Wallace.
Early in February he was invited for a week's hunting to a house at which Betty Lardner was also a guest.
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More About February
What does February mean?
February is the second month of the calendar year. It follows January and is followed by March.
It can be pronounced either FEB-roo-air-ee or FEB-yoo-air-ee.
February is notable for being the shortest month of the year. It has 28 days, except during a leap year, when it has 29 due to the addition of a leap day. Every four years, a leap day is added to the end of February to adjust for the fact that the calendar is 365 days long but the Earth’s revolution around the sun actually takes 365 days and 6 hours.
In the Northern Hemisphere, February is a winter month. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is a summer month.
In the U.S. and some other countries, February is Black History Month. Several U.S. and international holidays also fall in February, including Groundhog Day on February 2, Valentine’s Day on February 14, and Presidents’ Day on the third Monday of February. The American football championship known as the Super Bowl is typically held in early February.
Example: I was born on February 29, so I usually celebrate my birthday on February 28 on non-leap years.
Where does February come from?
The first records of the word February come from before 1000. It comes from the Latin Februārius mēnsis, in which mēnsis means “month” and Februārius means “expiatory,” which describes things involving atonement.
The month is named after Februa, a Roman purification festival involving ritual washing and offerings to the gods to atone for mistakes. In Old English, the name for the month was Solmonath, meaning “mud month.”
In ancient Rome, the calendar at one time only consisted of 10 months, with the year beginning on March 1. Eventually, two additional months—what we now call January and February—were added so that the months would fall during the same seasons each year. Both were given 28 days, but, at some point, three more days were added to January, with February still retaining 28 (except in leap years).
In astrology, the sign Aquarius applies to those born between January 20 and February 18. The sign Pisces applies to those born between February 19 and March 20.
Discover more to the story behind the word February, by reading our article on the name’s fascinating history.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to February?
- Februaries (plural)
- Feb. (abbreviation)
What are some words that often get used in discussing February?
How is February used in real life?
February is known for being the shortest month of the year, and for having an extra day every four years.
Even though February is the shortest month, it seems like the longest… pic.twitter.com/VcAamQNBPW
— Robert of Hove (@robert_hove) February 7, 2020
i can’t explain it, but february is the august of winter
— scrambled legs (@oldladyfan12) January 16, 2021
February is the best month hands down. Valentines Day, Black History Month , Leap Year and My Birthday 😝🥰
— – Kelia Sherell (@KeliaSherell) January 16, 2021
Try using February!
True or False?
February is the shortest month of the year except when it has 29 days during leap years.
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