era

1 of 2

noun

ˈer-ə 

ˈe-rə,

ˈir-ə 

1

a

: a fixed point in time from which a series of years is reckoned

b

: a memorable or important date or event

especially : one that begins a new period in the history of a person or thing

2

: a system of chronological notation computed from a given date as basis

3

a

: a period identified by some prominent figure or characteristic feature

the era of the horse and buggy

b

: a stage in development (as of a person or thing)

c

: a large division of geologic time usually shorter than an eon

Paleozoic era

ERA

2 of 2

abbreviation

1

earned run average

2

Equal Rights Amendment

Synonyms

Noun

• age
• day
• epoch
• period
• time

Choose the Right Synonym for era

period, epoch, era, age mean a division of time.

period may designate an extent of time of any length.

periods of economic prosperity

epoch applies to a period begun or set off by some significant or striking quality, change, or series of events.

the steam engine marked a new epoch in industry

era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things.

the era of global communications

age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature.

the age of Samuel Johnson

Examples of era in a Sentence

Noun

the era of the horse and buggy

We're just now entering an era of great prosperity.

His death marks the end of an era.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

According to Stathead, there have been exactly 100 players in the expansion era (since 1961) who accumulated at least 19 WAR through age 27 while playing 80 percent of their games at shortstop, second base, third base or center field. —Chad Jennings, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

Built in the 1920s and later owned by decorator Craig Wright, the property was a palimpsest of bygone eras, its Spanish Colonial Revival shell containing the mark of many hands. —Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 26 Mar. 2025

If this is indeed the end of Karen’s era, what does the future hold for RHOP? —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 26 Mar. 2025

Currently given the working title Scandals, the show will be an adaptation of the 2003 Korean film Untold Scandal, which reimagined the promiscuous world of the classic French novel Dangerous Liaisons within the context of Korea’s Joseon era. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Late Latin aera, from Latin, counters, plural of aer-, aes copper, money — more at ore

First Known Use

Noun

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing era

• Christian era
• Islamic era
• Muslim era
• vulgar era

Rhymes for era

• cara
• naira
• narra
• sara
• sarah
• sclera
• terra
• vera
• verra
• antisera
• cladocera
• hemiptera

Kids Definition

era

noun

ˈir-ə  ˈer-ə 

ˈē-rə

1

: a period of time beginning with some special date or event

the Christian era

2

: an important or outstanding period of history

the Revolutionary era

3

: one of the five major divisions of geologic time

Paleozoic era