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
Example Sentences
Noun Some people are reluctant to reveal their ages. She died tragically at a young age. The treatment depends on the sex and age of the patient. She died at the ripe old age of 90. The movie appeals to people of all ages. Their son needs to spend more time with children his own age. a group of children ranging in age from 8 to 11 She became involved with a man twice her age. The program is for people over age 50. groups of people classified by race and ageVerb As he aged he grew more and more bitter. You haven't aged a day since I saw you last! His troubles have aged him. Exposure to the sun has aged her skin. The wine ages in oak barrels. The wine is aged in oak barrels. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Her first prime minister, Winston Churchill, was more than three times her age.Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 This one includes the story of a shy little girl who became a queen, and a good one, who adorned her age. Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2022 Staley, a married father of two, said his salary should have aligned with the fact that he was promoted to an important role overseeing a major territory, and his age and experience as compared to other vice presidents was not the issue. Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2022 Carneal, who pleaded guilty but mentally ill to murder, attempted murder and burglary, was sentenced to life, but because of his age, he was entitled to be considered for parole after serving 25 years. Andrew Wolfson, The Courier-Journal, 14 Sep. 2022 Kelly could be heard affirming her age in some of the clips. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2022 Hubble has consistently delivered great images, though, despite its age. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 14 Sep. 2022 Players who get into the MLS academy system, generally train and play against players their own age. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2022 Isolation and a lack of activities was no good for people their age. Julia O'malley, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Sep. 2022
Verb
To try to solve this, Dufek and his team used machine learning to figure out how batteries age when charging fast. Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2022 The distillers use traditional practices and age the tequila in oak barrels. Robin Soslow, Chron, 22 Aug. 2022 Laughter and cheers echoed around the Winsor School’s turf field Friday as kids age 8-18 engaged in soccer drills at the Ucal Mckenzie Breakaway soccer camp. Khalin Kapoor, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2022 The role of Prince Charles will be taken over by Dominic West for The Crown's final two seasons, keeping with the show replacing their casts as the characters age. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2022 Bier has been advocating for young people who age out of their parents’ visas since Obama’s presidency. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2022 Extreme Heat: With severe heat waves becoming more common, scientists are trying to understand how life on a hotter planet might kill, sicken and age us.New York Times, 14 June 2022 There were 68 teams and over 600 players in the recent season, featuring girls and boys age 6 and up through high school along with men 18 and up. Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 For the young princes—William, then age 15, and Harry, then age 12—their last interaction with their mother came in the form of a phone conversation—something that had become a nightly occurrence after Diana's split with Prince Charles.Town & Country, 30 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French aage, age (earlier Old French edage, eage), from eé, aé "age, lifetime" (going back to Latin aetāt-, aetās, contraction of earlier aevitās, from aevum "time, lifetime" + -itāt-, -itās-ity) + -age-age — more at aye entry 3
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin -āticum (as in viāticum "provision for a journey"), neuter of -āticus, adjective suffix of appurtenance, from -a- (probably generalized from verbal derivatives, as vēnāticus "used for hunting," from vēnārī "to hunt") + -ticus, borrowed from Greek -tikos, generalized from derivatives of agent nouns (as athlētikósathletic) from athlḗtēsathlete