February

[ feb-roo-er-ee, feb-yoo‑ ]

noun

, plural Feb·ru·ar·ies.

1. the second month of the year, ordinarily containing 28 days, but containing 29 days in leap years. : Feb.

February

/ ˈfɛbrʊərɪ /

noun

1. the second month of the year, consisting of 28 or (in a leap year) 29 days

Pronunciation Note

Many people try to pronounce February with both [r] sounds, as shown above. The common pronunciation [feb, -yoo-er-ee], with the first [r] replaced by [y], is the result of dissimilation, the tendency of like sounds to become unlike when they follow each other closely. An additional influence is analogy with January. Although sometimes criticized, this dissimilated pronunciation of February is used by educated speakers and is considered standard.

Word History and Origins

Origin of February¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English Februarius < Latin Februārius (mēnsis) expiatory (month), derivative of februa (plural) expiatory offerings; -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of February¹

C13: from Latin Februārius mēnsis month of expiation, from februa Roman festival of purification held on February 15, from plural of februum a purgation

Example Sentences

Acevedo will have to wait until February to grow his next saplings — all of them Hass, the major variety grown in California.

From Los Angeles Times

Bluesky started as a research project at Twitter, but after Musk’s takeover it severed all ties with the company and launched as a social app in February 2023.

From Science Magazine

The county audit, ordered by the Board of Supervisors in February, is separate from an audit of L. A. city homelessness programs being conducted under the auspices of federal court in the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Russian forces have been using landmines widely in Ukraine - since it launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has deployed landmines to both defend their positions and slow down the Ukrainians.

From BBC

The government is now is hoping to pass emergency legislation that would allow between 260 and 390 prisoners to be freed early in February.

From BBC