abbreviation

BCE

bee-see-EE

BCE (abbreviation) means Before Common Era; used after a year to show that it falls in the era before the traditional date of the start of the Christian calendar, counting backwards. Example: “The temple was built around 450 BCE.”

abbreviation

Before Common Era; used after a year to show that it falls in the era before the traditional date of the start of the Christian calendar, counting backwards.

"The temple was built around 450 BCE."

"Writing appears in the region by the fourth millennium BCE."

How to Use BCE

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA religion-neutral way of writing BC in dates.

When to use it

Standard in academic history, archaeology and museum labelling. It is written after the year, unlike AD, which comes before it.

Memory tip

BCE dates count down: 500 BCE is earlier than 200 BCE, and there is no year zero between 1 BCE and 1 CE.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

BC CE → AD → BP

Common pairings

3000 BCE BCE and CE the second century BCE

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The temple was built around 450 _____.

Etymology

An initialism of Before Common Era.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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Antonyms

CE AD

Related Words

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between BCE and BC?

None at all in the years they refer to: 500 BCE and 500 BC are the same date. BCE and CE simply replace the explicitly Christian wording of BC, 'before Christ', and AD, 'in the year of the Lord', with neutral terms suited to writing for all audiences.

Where does BCE go in a date?

After the year, as in 44 BCE, and the same is true of CE in most modern style guides. This differs from AD, which traditionally comes before the year, as in AD 79.

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