Julian calendar

American  

[jool-yuhn kal-uhn-der] / ˈdʒul yən ˈkæl ən dər /

noun

1. the calendar established by Julius Caesar in 46 b.c., fixing the length of the year at 365 days and at 366 days every fourth year: there are 12 months of 30 or 31 days, except for February, which has 28 days with the exception of every fourth year, or leap year, when it has 29 days.

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Julian calendar British  

noun

1. the calendar introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 _bc , identical to the present calendar in all but two aspects: the beginning of the year was not fixed on Jan 1 and leap years occurred every fourth year and in every centenary year Compare Gregorian calendar

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Etymology

Origin of Julian calendar

First recorded in 1650–60

Compare meaning

How does julian-calendar compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Gregorian calendar vs. Julian calendar

Example Sentences

The foundations for representative government, the 365-day Julian calendar, modern sanitation, newspapers, roads and the postal system were established in Rome.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

Foula residents do not follow the Julian calendar as a strict daily rule due to the practicalities of island life, as they have to fit in with things such as plane and ferry timetables.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2025

The Julian calendar was the model used by the Western world for hundreds of years.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 24, 2024

The move is more than just a change of date from 7 January - the date for Christmas in the Julian calendar, which Russia uses.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2023

On the Gregorian calendar, the one we use today, Newton was born on 4 January 1643, while on the Julian calendar Galileo died right at the end of 1641.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin