calendar
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /kˈæləndə/
US
- /ˈkæləndər/
Description
- schedule
- planner
- date-keeper
A calendar isn't just about marking birthdays anymore! It's a system for organizing days, weeks, months, or even years – a visual roadmap of time. Think of it as a friendly reminder whispering, "Don't forget that dentist appointment!"
Calendars have been around for ages. Ancient Egyptians used the Nile River's floods to track seasons and create early calendars. Today, we have everything from paper wall calendars with cute pictures to digital calendars synced across all our devices. You might consult a calendar to plan a vacation, schedule meetings, or simply remember when garbage day is. It's a tool for managing time, but also a record of memories – circled dates marking special events that become part of your story.
A calendar is a system of organizing days for social, religious, commercial, or administrative purposes. At its most basic, it's a chart or series of charts showing the days, weeks, and months of the year. But calendars are so much more than just dates on paper (or pixels on a screen!). They're deeply woven into how we structure our lives.
Historically, calendars were often tied to astronomical events – like the cycles of the sun and moon – and religious observances. The Gregorian calendar, which is most widely used today, was introduced in 1582 as a refinement of the Julian calendar and aimed to more accurately reflect the solar year.
Today, we use calendars for everything from personal scheduling ("I need to check my calendar to see if I'm free next Tuesday") to large-scale planning ("The company's fiscal calendar ends in December"). Digital calendars allow us to set reminders, share events with others, and even color-code our commitments.
But the word "calendar" can also refer to a list of upcoming events or fixtures – like a "concert calendar" listing all the shows happening in a city, or a "sports calendar" outlining the season's games. It's a way to anticipate and prepare for what lies ahead. So whether you prefer flipping through paper pages or tapping on your phone screen, a calendar is an essential tool for navigating time and making the most of each day.
Examples
- 1
Appointment reminder
I wrote my dentist appointment on the kitchen calendar.
- 2
Format choice
Do you use a paper calendar, or do you keep everything on your phone?
- 3
Personal schedule
The meeting isn't on my calendar yet.
Phrase
on my calendar
scheduled and written in my plans
- 4
Scheduling
Let's put a call on the calendar for Friday afternoon.
Pattern
put + event on the calendar
schedule it
- 5
Team planning
Our team shares a calendar so everyone can see deadlines and time off.
- 6
Busy schedule
My calendar is full next week, so I can't take on anything else.
Phrase
my calendar is full
I already have many plans or appointments
- 7
Tax rules
The tax rules change at the start of the next calendar year.
Phrase
calendar year
January to December
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- calendarnounverb
Forms
- calendarspluralnounverb
- calendaring-ing formverbnoun
- calendaredpast tenseverbnoun