January

[jan-yoo-er-ee]

noun

plural

Januaries 

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

January

/ ˈdʒænjʊərɪ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of January¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of January¹

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

Example Sentences

"Progress flows. Precision grows. I'll be back in January," Hirscher said on social media alongside a video of him slalom training.

Read more on Barron's

As it turned out, I couldn’t attend the auction this January, but an associate from my work team was there.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The win gave the number 3 seed her second title of the year, following her victory at the Indonesia Masters in January.

Read more on Barron's

But that relief could be short-lived, as the funding agreement expires at the end of January, when Congress will face the same spending challenge once again.

Read more on BBC

The most powerful band of a large atmospheric river storm slammed into Southern California on Saturday, dumping much-needed rain across the region but also bringing mudslide dangers to communities still reeling from January’s firestorms.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When To Use

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.