Academic Year Definition & Meaning

American

Etymology

Examples

Synonyms academic year American

noun

1. the customary annual period of instruction at a college, university, etc., running approximately from September to June.

Etymology

Origin of academic year

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I don’t doubt or take lightly the physical, mental and emotional energy it takes to be a teacher five days a week during the academic year.

From MarketWatch

International students accounted for 27 percent of total enrollment at Harvard in the 2024-2025 academic year and are a major source of income.

From Barron's

Pasadena Unified enrollment plunged by about 500 students this academic year as families relocated.

From Los Angeles Times

Undocumented students can apply for state financial aid through the California Dream Act, but applications have dropped by 15% this academic year, with just over 32,000 applications submitted.

From Los Angeles Times

Church officials say it could be ready to accept new students in time for the 2026-2027 academic year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.