Gregorian calendar

noun

: a calendar in general use introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a revision of the Julian calendar, adopted in Great Britain and the American colonies in 1752, marked by the suppression of 10 days or after 1700 11 days, and having leap years in every year divisible by four with the restriction that centesimal years are leap years only when divisible by 400 see Months of the Principal Calendars Table

Examples of Gregorian calendar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The West follows the Gregorian calendar, while the Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 Since the calendar is based on the moon's cycles, Ramadan's start date shifts earlier each year and does not align with the Gregorian calendar. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025 Now compare that with the Gregorian calendar, started in 1582 and in use around much of the world. Forrest Brown, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025 Hanukkah's start date on the Gregorian calendar varies year by year because the Jewish calendar is based on luni-solar calendar cycles. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 24 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for Gregorian calendar

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1771, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Gregorian calendar was circa 1771

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Cite this Entry

“Gregorian calendar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Gregorian%20calendar. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

Gregorian calendar

noun
Gre·​go·​ri·​an calendar
gri-ˌgōr-ē-ən-,
-ˌgȯr-
: a calendar introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 and adopted in Great Britain and the American colonies in 1752 compare julian calendar

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