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.

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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

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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

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

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2025

In the Gregorian calendar used in much of the rest of the world, that date is 8 March.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2024

The Islamic calendar is a lunar system that adds up to only 354 days and shifts some 11 days from the Gregorian calendar each year—though a single leap day is sometimes added.

From National Geographic • Feb. 26, 2024

His Gregorian calendar took effect in the late 16th century.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 24, 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