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

Her sister also signed a contract extension last January, one that was intended to keep her with the team through 2028.

From Los Angeles Times

Unless the Blues and Sterling reach an agreement over a severance package for the £30m remaining on his contract, the earliest we are likely to see the England international play first-team football again is January.

From BBC

The squad is light and they will need to be busy in January.

From BBC

In January, he became the youngest player to feature for Mexico.

From BBC

He has largely retreated from the public eye since leaving the White House in January and has made few public appearances.

From BBC

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.