plural noun
Periods of twelve months, counted from a particular date or from January to December.
We lived there for three years.
The building has stood for many years.
American English
How to pronounce years
nounA1Very common word
YEERZ
/jiɹz/
One syllable.
Form of year
Periods of twelve months, counted from a particular date or from January to December.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
plural noun for school periods
Periods when students attend classes during separate cycles of study.
Her school years were very happy.
The academic years in this program are demanding.
plural noun for age
The number of twelve-month periods used to say how old a person or animal is.
The twins are five years old.
The puppies were two years old.
Good to know
For age, English uses be, not have: be + number + years old.
plural noun for a long time
A long time, especially when used after for or in.
I haven't seen him in years.
They have worked together for years.
Useful expressions
during the whole year
The store is open all year round.
every year for many years
The team wins year after year.
one time each year
We visit our relatives once a year.