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

Other men who served in the Sudan included John French, the first commander of the British Expeditionary Force in France, and Douglas Haig, who succeeded him from December 1915 until the armistice.

From The Wall Street Journal

The US-based company, which is owned by car rental giant Avis Budget, told customers it will temporarily suspend new bookings after 31 December, pending the outcome of a consultation with its 71 staff members.

From BBC

Resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors, will stage a five-day walkout from 17 December.

From BBC

Stocks were falling Monday as investors looked set to begin December in a risk-off mood following a rally in late November.

From Barron's

Alibaba Group stock was one of the few names rising on Monday, with the wider market seeing a rocky start to December as risk sentiment among investors seemed to take a hit.

From Barron's