periods
periods — noun
- periodssingular
- periodsesplural
1. lengths of time that are seen as separate stretches with their own beginning and
lengths of time that are seen as separate stretches with their own beginning and end
The desert town faces long periods without rain each summer.
long periods without something
During busy periods, the bakery hires two extra workers.
during busy periods at work
Several quiet periods gave the nurses time to finish their notes.
The twins slept in short periods through their first cold.
文法句型
long periods of + noun
during busy periods
sleep in short periods
用法筆記
Common with of-phrases naming what fills the time, such as rain, silence, or waiting. Distinguish from noun/2, which is about recognized stages in history, art, or a person's life.
2. separate stages in history, culture, or someone's life that are identified as di
separate stages in history, culture, or someone's life that are identified as different from one another
The museum displays coins from three periods of Roman history.
periods of history
Her poems from different periods show how her voice changed.
different periods in creative work
Teachers compared the two periods of the painter's career.
The castle was rebuilt several times in troubled periods of war.
文法句型
periods of history
different periods of + noun
two periods of a career
用法筆記
Usually appears when speakers divide a longer story into named or recognizable stages. Distinguish from noun/1, which can refer to any span of time, even one that has no historical label.
3. separate lesson times in a school day, each usually set aside for one subject or
separate lesson times in a school day, each usually set aside for one subject or activity
Students have eight periods on Thursdays, including music after lunch.
periods in a daily timetable
The principal shortened morning periods because the gym was flooded.
shorten school periods
Our math teacher combined two periods for the science fair setup.
Friday periods end early before the school bus leaves.
文法句型
eight periods a day
morning periods
combine two periods
用法筆記
Most common in school talk with numbers or parts of the day, such as first periods or morning periods. Distinguish from noun/6, which refers to sections of a sports game.
4. monthly times when blood leaves the uterus if pregnancy has not happened
monthly times when blood leaves the uterus if pregnancy has not happened
The patient's periods became lighter after the doctor changed the medicine.
periods described by pattern or amount
Irregular periods made the teenager miss two swimming practices.
irregular periods affecting daily life
The nurse asked how long the heavy periods had lasted.
Painful periods kept the chef at home on opening day.
- cycles
broader word that can include timing, not only bleeding
- menstruation
more formal and medical
文法句型
heavy periods
irregular periods
painful periods
用法筆記
Often appears with words such as heavy, light, painful, or irregular when discussing someone's cycle over time. It is more common in plural than noun/period when speakers mean a general pattern rather than one single month.
5. small round punctuation marks used to end statements and some abbreviations
small round punctuation marks used to end statements and some abbreviations
American editors add periods after titles like Dr. and Mrs.
periods after abbreviations
The teacher circled the missing periods in every short answer.
missing periods in writing
Please use periods, not commas, to end those simple sentences.
The sign looked messy because the designer mixed spaces and periods.
- full stops
the standard British English term
- dots
informal and less precise
文法句型
use periods
missing periods
periods after abbreviations
用法筆記
This is the usual American word for the mark called a full stop in British English. Distinguish from noun/1, where periods means stretches of time rather than punctuation marks.
6. fixed sections of playing time in sports such as ice hockey
fixed sections of playing time in sports such as ice hockey
The home side scored in all three periods of the hockey game.
three periods in hockey
Two fast periods gave the crowd plenty to cheer about.
fast periods in a game
The coach praised the team's defense in the final two periods.
After scoreless periods, the players won the match in overtime.
文法句型
three periods
final two periods
scoreless periods
用法筆記
Most often used in North American sports, especially ice hockey. Distinguish from noun/3, where periods are timetable blocks in a school day rather than parts of a match.
7. lengths of time needed for repeating motions or signals to complete one full cyc
lengths of time needed for repeating motions or signals to complete one full cycle
Astronomers compared the periods of the two newly found planets.
periods of orbiting objects
The lab chart showed longer periods as the waves slowed down.
longer periods in wave motion
Different periods in the signal made the machine hard to calibrate.
Students measured the periods of each pendulum during physics class.
文法句型
periods of waves
compare the periods
measure the periods of + noun
用法筆記
This sense belongs to repeated motion, waves, or orbital movement, where one period equals one complete cycle. Distinguish from noun/1, which is any span of time and does not require repetition.