What does period mean?
The word 'period' commonly refers to the punctuation mark placed at the end of a sentence or abbreviation. In American English, it is the usual term for this mark, while 'full stop' is especially common in British English. The word also denotes a span or phase of time, as in 'a period of adjustment,' and can refer to a historical era, a stage in a process, or a recurring phase in a cycle. In cultural and historical contexts, 'period' often suggests a distinctive style associated with a particular time, such as 'the Edwardian period.' Because it links a concrete punctuation mark with broader ideas of time, recurrence, and historical division, 'period' is useful in discussions of language, history, science, and culture.
A punctuation mark consisting of a dot used to indicate the end of a sentence or an abbreviation.
"Read the quotation aloud and finish it with a period."
In American English, 'period' is the standard term; 'full stop' is widely used in British English.
A span or stage of time, especially a distinct phase in a process, a recurring cycle, or a historical era.
"The manuscript belongs to the medieval period."
The phrase 'period of' is common when referring to a temporary phase, whereas 'period in' often identifies a historical or cultural era.
The plural 'periods' can refer to multiple punctuation marks, spans or phases of time, or historical eras.
"The passage contains several long periods followed by a list of dates."
The word 'period' began as a way of describing a complete route or cycle, a journey that eventually came back to where it started.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does period come from?
The word comes through Latin from Greek periodos, a term associated with a path, circuit, or complete cycle. The original sense developed into a notion of a complete interval or a way of returning to the starting point. Its use for punctuation developed from the idea of a point completing a sentence or thought, while its temporal meanings reflect the older sense of a cycle or recurring span.
Related word forms
How period is actually used
As a punctuation mark, 'period' is the standard term in American English; 'full stop' is common in British English and other varieties. In phrases such as 'the Victorian period,' the word means a historical era and often carries cultural or stylistic associations.
Easily confused with period
A period is a punctuation mark or a span of time, whereas a periodical is a publication that appears at regular intervals.