January

American  

[jan-yoo-er-ee] / ˈdʒæn yuˌɛr i /

noun

plural

Januaries

1. the first month of the year, containing 31 days. Jan.

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January British  

/ ˈdʒænjʊərɪ /

noun

1. the first month of the year, consisting of 31 days

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Usage

What does January mean? January is the first month of the calendar year. It has 31 days and is followed by February. It follows December, the twelfth and final month of the previous year. January is closely associated with its position at the beginning of the year. January 1 is known as New Year’s Day due to being the first day of the year. For many people, January is a time of making New Year’s resolutions—decisions to do something or make some change in the new year, especially to change or start some habit or behavior. For example, many people start new exercise routines or diets in January. In the Northern Hemisphere, January is a winter month. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is a summer month. In the U. S., the most notable holiday in January after New Year’s Day is Martin Luther King Day, which is observed on the third Monday of the month. The inaugurations of new U. S. presidents and members of Congress are also held in January. Example: People treat January as a time of new beginnings and life changes, but I like to remind them that they can do that during any month.

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

In January 2027, the state legislature will have the chance to replace Justice D. Arthur Kelsey, author of last week’s decision.

From Slate • May 11, 2026

In January, Apollo’s real-estate investment trust sold $9 billion of commercial property mortgages to the firm’s insurance company, Athene.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Tesla stock hasn’t closed above $440 since late January.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

Mohammadi strongly backed the 2022-2023 protests sparked by the death in custody of Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini but was arrested before the major demonstrations that erupted in January this year.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

Charlie Ledley and Ben Hockett returned from Las Vegas on January 30, 2007, convinced that the entire financial system had lost its mind.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis