period
gb/pˈɪɹiəd/ us/pˈɪɹiəd/
A1
English
~ 400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
quantity
1
A specific length of time
A set amount of time with a start and finish.
Usage pattern:
a period of [time]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'period' with 'point' in time; 'period' is a span, not a single moment.
Synonyms
duration (More formal; focuses on how long something lasts)
Antonyms
moment (Refers to a very short or brief time)
Collocations
short period
|long period
|period of time
|grace period
|trial period
Themes
time
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The project must be completed within a six-month period.
- There was a brief period of silence before she spoke.
- This law will be in effect for a trial period of one year.
Learner examples
- We stayed in London for a short period.
- The class is over after a forty-minute period.
- He will be away for a long period.
Noun
A1
entity
2
Punctuation mark at sentence end
A dot (.) used to show the end of a sentence.
Common mistake:
Some learners use commas instead of periods at the end of sentences.
Synonyms
full stop (British English term for the same punctuation mark)
Antonyms
comma (Another punctuation mark that separates parts of sentences, not ends them)
Collocations
full stop period
|end with a period
|put a period
Themes
writing
|language
|communication
|education
Examples
- Every sentence should end with a period.
- He forgot to put a period after the abbreviation.
- In American English, we call it a period.
Learner examples
- Write your name and end the sentence with a period.
- That is the end. Put a period there.
- Do not forget the period.
Noun
B1
event
3
Monthly menstrual bleeding
The monthly bleeding that happens to women and girls.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'period' meaning menstruation with 'period' meaning time span; context is important.
Synonyms
menstruation (More formal or medical term)
Collocations
have your period
|get your period
|miss a period
Themes
health
|daily life
|body
Examples
- She usually gets her period at the start of the month.
- I missed my period and decided to take a pregnancy test.
- During her period, she often feels tired.
Learner examples
- She has her period this week.
- I get my period every month.
- She missed her period last month.
Noun
A2
quantity
4
One class session in school
A set time in school for one class or lesson.
Synonyms
lesson (Often used in British English; refers to the teaching session itself)
Collocations
first period
|math period
|free period
Themes
education
|time
Examples
- We have math during the first period today.
- Her favorite class is in the last period.
- I have a free period after lunch.
Learner examples
- We have English in the first period.
- The next period is science.
- I like the art period.
Noun
B1
entity
5
Stage in history or development
A time in history or life with special events or features.
Synonyms
era (Often larger or more significant span of history)
Collocations
Victorian period
|medieval period
|transitional period
Themes
history
|time
|education
Examples
- The Victorian period was marked by rapid industrial growth.
- It was a difficult period in his life.
- The Renaissance was an important cultural period.
Learner examples
- The Roman period was long ago.
- She had a happy period in her life.
- This was a bad period for the country.
Grammar
Dictionary form
period
IPA
GB/pˈɪɹiəd/
US/pˈɪɹiəd/
Syllables & stress
peri - od (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (peri)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: period
- Plural: periods
Word family
Forms
periods
noun
Core family
periodic
adjective B2
periodically
adverb B2
Related words
periodical
noun C1
Expressions
end of story, period
1/ˈɛnd əv stˈɔɹi | pˈɪɹiəd/
fixed phrase
informal
No more discussion allowed
Used to say that nothing more will be said or changed about something.
Examples
- You are not going to that party, end of story, period.
- I’m not lending you any more money—end of story, period.
full stop (period)
1/fˈʊl stˈɑp pˈɪɹiəd/
fixed phrase
Sentence-ending punctuation mark name difference
British people say 'full stop' and Americans say 'period' for the dot at the end of a sentence.
Examples
- In British English, you would say 'full stop' instead of 'period'.
- He ended the sentence with a full stop, or as Americans say, a period.