December
dih-SEHM-buh
December (noun) means the twelfth and final month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, coming after November. Example: “Most schools break up for the holidays in mid-December.”
noun
1
The twelfth and final month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, coming after November.
"Most schools break up for the holidays in mid-December."
"The northern hemisphere's shortest day falls in December."
How to use December
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe last month of the year, associated with winter and end-of-year holidays in much of the world.
Memory tip
Like all month names, "December" is always capitalized in English.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
in December
early December
a December wedding
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Word forms
- Plural
- Decembers
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Most schools break up for the holidays in mid-_____.
Etymology
From Latin December, based on decem ("ten") — it was the tenth month in the old Roman calendar, before January and February were added to the start of the year.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for December
See all rhymes for December →Frequently asked questions
What does “December” mean?
The word “December” means the twelfth and final month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, coming after November. In plain terms, the last month of the year, associated with winter and end-of-year holidays in much of the world.
How do you pronounce “December”?
“December” is pronounced dih-SEHM-buh (/dɪˈsɛm.bɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “December” in a sentence?
Here is “December” used in a sentence: “Most schools break up for the holidays in mid-December.”
What part of speech is “December”?
“December” is a noun.
Where does the word “December” come from?
The word “December” comes from Latin. From Latin December, based on decem ("ten") — it was the tenth month in the old Roman calendar, before January and February were added to the start of the year.
Is “December” a common word?
“December” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
Why is December called December when it is the twelfth month?
The name comes from the Latin 'decem', meaning ten, because December was the tenth month in the early Roman calendar, which began in March. When January and February were later added to the start of the year, the month kept its original name despite shifting to twelfth position.
How many days are in December?
December has 31 days, making it one of the seven months of that length. It is the final month of the year, ending on the 31st, which is New Year's Eve. The following day, 1 January, begins the next year.
What season is December?
In the Northern Hemisphere, December falls in winter and contains the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. In the Southern Hemisphere the seasons are reversed, so December is a summer month there. The exact solstice date is usually 21 or 22 December.
What holidays happen in December?
December is rich in celebrations, including Christmas on the 25th, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the winter solstice, followed by New Year's Eve on the 31st. Many cultures mark the month with festivals of light and midwinter gatherings, making it one of the most festive times of the year.
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