FEBRUARY Definition & Meaning

February

[feb-roo-er-ee, feb-��Ǵ�‑]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural

Februaries

the second month of the year, ordinarily containing 28 days, but containing 29 days in leap years. Feb.

February

/ ˈ��ɛ��ʊə��ɪ /

noun

the second month of the year, consisting of 28 or (in a leap year) 29 days

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Pronunciation Note

Many people try to pronounce February with both sounds, as shown above. The common pronunciation , with the first replaced by , is the result of dissimilation, the tendency of like sounds to become unlike when they follow each other closely. An additional influence is analogy with January. Although sometimes criticized, this dissimilated pronunciation of February is used by educated speakers and is considered standard.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of February¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English Februarius < Latin Februārius (mēnsis) expiatory (month), derivative of februa (plural) expiatory offerings; -ary

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of February¹

C13: from Latin Februārius mēnsis month of expiation, from februa Roman festival of purification held on February 15, from plural of februum a purgation

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In February, the Senedd rejected calls for a Welsh inquiry, but members voted unanimously that the Welsh government should consider one.

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“To know that some of the most significant figures in American social and political life support the Enhanced Games is more important to us than any investment,” he said on a video call in February.

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In February 2024, the alliance petitioned the court to fine the city $6.4 million, alleging it “obstructed efforts to establish critical encampment milestones and created far fewer beds than it promised to.”

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"We had none of the rights of homeowners, and all the obligations of renters," said Diana, who together with her husband Chris, bought a shared ownership property in east London in February 2020.

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The BBC reported in February the supermarkets were displaying posters and video screens showing devices which create a nicotine-containing vapour by heating tobacco with an electric current.

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When To Use

What does February mean?

February is the second month of the calendar year. It follows January and is followed by March.It can be pronounced either FEB-roo-air-ee or FEB-yoo-air-ee. February is notable for being the shortest month of the year. It has 28 days, except during a leap year, when it has 29 due to the addition of a leap day. Every four years, a leap day is added to the end of February to adjust for the fact that the calendar is 365 days long but the Earth’s revolution around the sun actually takes 365 days and 6 hours.In the Northern Hemisphere, February is a winter month. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is a summer month.In the U.S. and some other countries, February is Black History Month. Several U.S. and international holidays also fall in February, including Groundhog Day on February 2, Valentine’s Day on February 14, and Presidents’ Day on the third Monday of February. The American football championship known as the Super Bowl is typically held in early February.Example: I was born on February 29, so I usually celebrate my birthday on February 28 on non-leap years.

febris February Revolution

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