January

[jan-yoo-er-ee]

noun, plural Jan·u·ar·ies.

the first month of the year, containing 31 days. Abbreviation: Jan.

Origin of January

before 1000; Middle English < Latin, noun use of Jānuārius, equivalent to Jānu(s) Janus + -ārius -ary; replacing Middle English Genever, Jeniver < Anglo-French, Old French Genever, Jenever < Latin, as above; replacing Old English Januarius < Latin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for january

Contemporary Examples of january

In Israel, however, a new law took effect January 1st that banned the use of underweight models.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models
Carrie Arnold
January 8, 2015
Chérif was arrested in Paris in January 2005 as he was about to board a plane to Damascus along with a man named Thamer Bouchnak.
France Mourns—and Hunts
Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey
January 8, 2015
Andrew still plans to fly to Davos in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum on January 21, representing the British government.
From Playboy Prince to Dirty Old Man?
Tom Sykes
January 5, 2015
Her focus would be on the three months, January through March 1965, that gave birth to the Voting Rights Act.
Dr. King Goes to Hollywood: The Flawed History of ‘Selma’
Gary May
January 2, 2015
In January, an appeal hearing will determine whether he qualifies for post-conviction relief.
The Deal With Serial’s Jay? He’s Pissed Off, Mucks Up Our Timeline
Emily Shire
December 31, 2014

Historical Examples of january

With hard rowing we got that night (11th January, 1701,) to Mons.
A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion
William Dobein James
The Redistribution Bill was carried, January, 1885, after animated debate.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
January, 1874, Mr. Gladstone issued a manifesto dissolving Parliament.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
In January, 1876, the Herzegovinians gained a victory over the Turkish troops.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
The budget of the government introduced January 17th was unpopular.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook

British Dictionary definitions for january

January

noun plural -aries

the first month of the year, consisting of 31 days

Word Origin for January

C14: from Latin Jānuārius, from adj: (month) of Janus 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for january

January

late 13c., Ieneuer, from Old North French Genever, Old French Jenvier (Modern French Janvier), attested from early 12c. in Anglo-French, from Latin Ianuarius (mensis) "(the month) of Janus," to whom the month was sacred as the beginning of the year (see Janus; cf. Italian Gennajo, Provençal Genovier, Portuguese Janeiro). The form was gradually Latinized by c.1400. Replaced Old English geola se æfterra "Later Yule." In Chaucer, a type-name for an old man.