What does week mean?
A week is a period of seven consecutive days and one of the basic units by which people organize work, rest, appointments, travel, and personal plans. In ordinary use, the term may refer to a calendar period beginning on a customary day such as Sunday or Monday, although the exact starting day can vary by convention or context. It can also refer more specifically to the working days within that period, as in phrases concerning an employee's workweek. A week functions both as a measurable span of time and as a social rhythm, linking individual days while distinguishing routine obligations from days of leisure. The word is used in British and American English with the same basic meaning and does not carry a notable formal or informal restriction. Related forms include 'weekly,' meaning occurring once a week, and compounds such as 'weekday' and 'weekend.' Its simple definition makes it a useful reference point in schedules, agreements, planning, and descriptions of recurring events.
nounA period of seven consecutive days, usually beginning on a customary day such as Sunday or Monday. In some contexts, it can also mean the working days within such a period.
- A period of seven consecutive days, usually identified by its beginning and ending days.
- The working portion of such a period, especially when referring to an employment or school schedule.
"The project must be completed by the end of next week."
"We spent the first week of our lives moving into the new apartment."
"Her working week is compressed into four days because Friday is a company holiday."
The standard plural is 'weeks,' as in 'several weeks from now.'
"The two teams have competed against each other three times this season."
The word is a linguistic survivor: its Old English ancestor referred to a seven-day period long before the modern calendar took shape.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does week come from?
The word descends from Old English wicu, used for a seven-day period, and ultimately from a Germanic root associated with a turn, change, or recurring cycle. Its close relatives include Old Norse vika, Gothic wiko, German Woche, and Dutch week. The modern form developed through Middle English and the regular sound changes that changed the earlier consonant and vowel structure.
Related word forms
How week is actually used
The term is neutral and standard in both British and American English. When the emphasis is on scheduled work or school rather than the full seven-day period, wording such as 'workweek' may be clearer.
Easily confused with week
A week is a period of seven days, whereas something weak lacks strength or firmness.