December

American  

[dih-sem-ber] / dɪˈsɛm bər /

noun

1. the twelfth month of the year, containing 31 days. Dec.

---

December British  

/ dɪˈsɛmbə /

noun

1. the twelfth and last month of the year, consisting of 31 days

---

Usage

What is December? December is the twelfth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It has 31 days and is between November and January.In the Northern Hemisphere, winter begins in December, while in the Southern Hemisphere, summer begins.A solstice happens in December, often marked on December 21, although the actual day may be December 20, 21, or 22. A solstice is when the sun is the farthest from the Earth’s celestial equator. The Southern Hemisphere experiences its summer solstice, with the sun reaching the southernmost point on the celestial sphere. Naturally, the Northern Hemisphere experiences its winter solstice.Many holidays are celebrated in December, including the Budhhist Bodhi Day, the Jewish Hanukkah (though it can start in November), the Christian Christmas, and the African American Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday, while Bodhi Day, Hanukkah, and Christmas are religious holidays, though many people celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas as cultural holidays.Example: December is my favorite month because I can finally take some time off work and be with my family.

Etymology

Origin of December

before 1000; Middle English decembre < Old French < Latin december (stem decembr- ) the tenth month of the early Roman year, apparently < *dec ( em ) -membri-, equivalent to decem ten + *-membri- < mens- month + -ri- suffix (with -sr- > -br- and assimilation of nasal)

Example Sentences

In December last year, Zamora formally pleaded guilty to “fraudulent trading.”

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. factory orders fell in December, the Census Bureau said Monday.

From The Wall Street Journal

CNN reported in December that Russian personnel based on ships carrying oil had been involved in spying in European waters, citing Western and Ukrainian intelligence sources.

From Barron's

In December, the Israeli government became the first country to recognise the independence of Somaliland since it declared its autonomy from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war.

From Barron's

Average EV selling prices dropped 3% year over year in December.

From Barron's