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September

[ sep-tem-ber ]
/ sɛpˈtɛm bər /
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noun
the ninth month of the year, containing 30 days. Abbreviations: Sept., Sep.
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Origin of September

First recorded before 1050; Middle English Septembre, Old English, from Latin September “seventh month” in the early Roman calendar; for formation see December

OTHER WORDS FROM September

Sep·tem·bral [sep-tem-bruhl], /sɛpˈtɛm brəl/, adjective

Words nearby September

septal, septarium, septate, septavalent, septectomy, September, September 11 attacks, September Massacre, Septembrist, septempartite, septemvir
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT SEPTEMBER

What is September?

September is the ninth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It has 30 days and is between August and October.

In the Northern Hemisphere, September is known as the first month of the autumn season, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the first month of the spring season.

Much of the world celebrates International Workers Day in May, but in the United States and Canada, a similar celebration, called Labor Day, is held. It is celebrated on the first Monday of September.

The Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah, which marks the beginning of the year, is normally held in September. The holiday’s exact date changes because it is set according to the Hebrew calendar, which is based on the Moon’s cycle.

Example: For many people, September is a calm month before the holidays in October, November, and December.

Where does September come from?

The first records of the word September come from before 1050. It ultimately comes from the Latin September, meaning “seventh month.”

In the 10-month Roman calendar, which started with March, September was the seventh month. When Julius Caesar took control of Rome, he changed the length of some months and added new ones because January was falling in autumn due to the calendar’s inaccuracies. He added Quintilis, later to become July (named after Julius), and Sextilis, which would later become August (named after Augustus Caesar). This is how September went from being the seventh month to the ninth. Our Gregorian calendar is based on this Julius calendar.

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What are some other forms related to September?

  • Sep. (abbreviation)
  • Sept. (abbreviation)
  • Septembral (adjective)
  • Septembrist (noun)

What are some words that share a root or word element with September?

What are some words that often get used in discussing September?

How is September used in real life?

September is known for being the beginning of the autumn and spring seasons.

 

Try using September!

True or False? 

September is named after the Latin word for seven.

How to use September in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for September

September
/ (sɛpˈtɛmbə) /
noun
the ninth month of the year, consisting of 30 days

Word Origin for September

Old English, from Latin: the seventh (month) according to the original calendar of ancient Rome, from septem seven
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
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