January

[ jan-yoo-er-ee ]
/ ˈdʒæn yuˌɛr i /

noun, plural Jan·u·ar·ies.

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

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Question 1 of 10
What does “barren” mean?
a cylindrical wooden container with slightly bulging sides.
Worn down by dullness, tedious repetition.
unproductive; unfruitful
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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

Words nearby January

Jansenism, jansky, Jansky-Bielschowsky disease, Jansky's classification, Januarius, January, Janus, Janus cloth, Janus-faced, Janus green B, Janus word
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Content related to January

Where Does The Name “January” Come From?January is named for the ancient Roman god of transitions, Janus, who is often depicted with two heads that face in opposite directions.
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Example sentences from the Web for January

British Dictionary definitions for January

January
/ (ˈdʒænjʊərɪ) /

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