Words / B1

PEERR-ee-uh-d/ˈpɪəriəd/

A period is a length of time: a long period, a period of six months, exam period. Time is more general; era is longer and historical; age can mean an era or how old someone is. For a period of time is a common but slightly empty phrase — exams prefer a more precise period. Periodic means happening at intervals; a period in punctuation is American for a full stop.

Meaning

A length of time.

Examples

• “She lived in London for a long period.”
• “Sales grew over a period of three years.”
• “Silence is required during the exam period.”

Good to know

a period of + time. exam / holiday period. Longer history: era. Adjective: periodic.

Near in meaning

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