January

[ jan-yoo-er-ee ]

noun,plural Jan·u·ar·ies.
  1. the first month of the year, containing 31 days. Abbreviation: Jan.

Origin of January

1
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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for January

January

/ (ˈdʒænjʊərɪ) /


nounplural -aries
  1. the first month of the year, consisting of 31 days

Origin of January

1
C14: from Latin Jānuārius, from adj: (month) of Janus 1

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