era

The word “era” means a period of time marked out by particular events, developments, or characteristics. In plain terms, a distinct stretch of history, often defined by something that made it different from what came before.

“Era” is pronounced EER-ruh (/ˈɛɹ.ə/ in IPA).

Here is “era” used in a sentence: “The internet ushered in a new era of communication.”

Words with a similar meaning to “era” include age, epoch, period, cycle, day and generation.

“Era” is a noun.

The word “era” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin aera, originally denoting a starting point from which years were counted.

“Era” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

Both mean a stretch of time with a distinct character. Era is the everyday word for a period defined by events or features, like the Victorian era. Epoch is more formal and often marks a turning point that begins a new period, and it is also a precise unit in geology.

The words are close and often interchangeable. Period is the general term for any span of time, long or short. Era usually suggests a longer stretch with a strong, defining identity — shaped by particular events, people, or developments — such as the space era or the industrial era.

Common examples include the Victorian era, the digital era, and the Cold War era. Each names a stretch of time defined by distinctive events or features. People also speak loosely of the end of an era when a long-standing situation, career, or trend comes to a close.

Eras are usually named by their defining trait: historical eras like the Elizabethan era, technological ones such as the digital or information era, and cultural or political eras like the post-war era. In geology, era is also a formal division of time, such as the Mesozoic era.