lustrum

[ luhs-truhm ]

noun

, plural lus·trums, lus·tra [luhs, -tr, uh].

1. a period of five years.
2. Roman History. a lustration or ceremonial purification of the people, performed every five years, after the taking of the census.

lustrum

/ ˈlʌstrəm /

noun

1. a period of five years

Word History and Origins

Origin of lustrum¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin lūstrum; luster ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lustrum¹

C16: from Latin: ceremony of purification, from lustrāre to brighten, purify

Example Sentences

Two presidential lustrums of Grant and one of Hayes had erased from the hearts of men the burning sensations of impeachment.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter may well be the case, for I remember that during each lustrum of my life Don Quixote has made a different impression upon me.

From Project Gutenberg

He had already reached the lustrum that would fill his threescore years, and life seemed slipping from beneath him, while its great object remained unachieved.

From Project Gutenberg

It is only once in a lustrum that I visit my Uncle Theodore.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence the name of lustrum came to denote the intercensal term, or a period of five years.

From Project Gutenberg