July
Americannoun
plural
Julies, Julysnoun
Usage
What does July mean? July is the seventh month of the calendar year, lasting 31 days and falling between June and August. It’s one of the 12 months of the Gregorian calendar.In the Northern Hemisphere, July is a summer month. The days during the period from July 3 to August 11 are traditionally known as the dog days of summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, July is a winter month.What happens in July?In Canada, July 1 is the patriotic national holiday known as Canada Day. In the U.S., July 4 is Independence Day, popularly known as the Fourth of July. July 14 is the national day of France, known in English as Bastille Day.In the U.S., July is observed as BIPOC Mental Health Month.In astrology, the sign Cancer applies to those born between June 22 and July 22. The sign Leo applies to those born between July 23 and August 23.Example: As soon as July begins, I can already feel the dog days of summer setting in.
Etymology
Origin of July
before 1050; Middle English julie < Anglo-French < Latin Jūlius ( Caesar ), after whom it was named; replacing Old English Julius < Latin; Middle English ju ( i ) l < Old French < Latin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Across the U.S., people were slammed with record-shattering daily averages that are typically experienced in July.
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
But bills are forecast to rise sharply when the next energy cap takes effect in July due to the jump in oil prices since the beginning of Middle East conflict.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
That marks the stock’s best three-day stretch since late July 2025.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
The Police Department launched its investigation last July after noticing a “significant rise” in catalytic converter thefts.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
James Madison was alive when Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.