era

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/ˈɪərə/
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A period defined by a distinctive character, from historical ages and personal phases to systems of dating and geologic time.

Examples

  • The fall of the wall marked the end of an era.
  • After quitting her job, she said she was in her rest era.
  • The dates are written according to the Common Era.
  • He joked that his cooking era began with one good soup.
  • The singer's acoustic era brought a quieter sound.

Similar words

geologic era
epoch
chapter
chapter
time
reckoning
period
stage
time division
calendar era

Meanings

Distinct period in history

noun
history
neutral
A stretch of time marked by a clear character, event, ruler, technology, or way of life.

Examples

  • The fall of the wall marked the end of an era.
  • Factories reshaped daily life during the industrial era.
  • The museum focuses on art from the Renaissance era.
  • Many cities changed quickly in the post-war era.
  • The company entered a new era after the merger.

Similar words

Personal or cultural phase

noun
culture
informal
A period of life, identity, style, or public image organized around a particular mood, habit, or theme.

Examples

  • After quitting her job, she said she was in her rest era.
  • The singer's acoustic era brought a quieter sound.
  • Fans still debate which album era had the best outfits.
  • He joked that his cooking era began with one good soup.
  • The brand moved into a minimalist era with its new logo.

Similar words

System for counting years

noun
chronology
formal
A way of numbering years from a chosen starting point, or the starting point used for that reckoning.

Examples

  • The dates are written according to the Common Era.
  • Some inscriptions use a local era rather than the modern calendar.
  • The Christian era became a standard way to number years in Europe.
  • Historians converted the regnal era into modern dates.
  • A calendar era begins from a selected reference point.

Similar words

Division of geologic time

noun
geology
technical
A major unit of geologic time, longer than a period and shorter than an eon.

Examples

  • Dinosaurs flourished during the Mesozoic Era.
  • The Cenozoic Era began after the mass extinction event.
  • Geologists divide each era into smaller periods.
  • The Paleozoic Era saw major changes in marine life.
  • An era is shorter than an eon in geologic time.

Similar words

Etymology

From Late Latin aera, a starting point for reckoning time, from Latin aes, money or counters used in calculation.

FAQ

What does era mean in history?

Era means a broad period marked by events, people, technologies, or ways of life that distinguish it from other periods.

What does a personal era mean?

In informal use, a personal era is a phase of life or identity associated with a theme, style, or habit.

Are era and period the same?

Era usually suggests a more distinctive or recognized phase, while period can mean almost any stretch of time.

What is the Common Era?

The Common Era is a system for numbering years, usually written CE, paired with BCE.

What is a geologic era?

A geologic era is a major division of Earth's time, below an eon and above a period.

Is baseball ERA part of this word?

No. ERA for earned run average is an uppercase abbreviation and should be treated separately from lowercase era.

Where does era come from?

Era comes from Late Latin aera, tied to reckoning time from a chosen starting point.

What is a common mistake with era?

A common mistake is writing error instead of era, or using era for a moment too brief to be a meaningful span.

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