December

[dih-sem-ber]

noun

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

December

/ dɪˈsɛmbə /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of December¹

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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of December¹

C13: from Old French decembre, from Latin december the tenth month (the Roman year originally began with March), from decem ten

Example Sentences

The latest move comes weeks after the ex-president, who governed Brazil from January 2019 to December 2022, was sentenced to 27 years in jail after he was found guilty of plotting a coup.

From BBC

The Supreme Court's Monday ruling said the justices would hear arguments in December on overturning a 1935 decision that allowed Congress to set up independent agencies insulated from political interference.

From BBC

Those that know Dembele best - and few do - say he changed after marrying his girlfriend Rima in Morocco in December 2021, and soon after he had a child.

From BBC

He moved Dembele from a wide right to centre-forward role against Lyon on 15 December, by which stage he had only scored five goals.

From BBC

Work on the report is expected to begin in October, with the sheriff principal requesting a working deadline of early December.

From BBC

When To Use

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.