week

noun

ˈwēk How to pronounce week (audio)
1
a
: any of a series of 7-day cycles used in various calendars
especially : a 7-day cycle beginning on Sunday and ending on Saturday
b(1)
: a week beginning with a specified day or containing a specified holiday
the week of the 18th
(2)
: a week appointed for public recognition of some cause
2
a
: any seven consecutive days
b
: a series of regular working, business, or school days during each 7-day period
3
British : a time seven days before or after a specified day
last Sunday week

Examples of week in a Sentence

the last week of the month I can meet you sometime next week. The menu changes each week. You can never be sure what will happen from one week to the next. The menu changes from week to week. The baby is two weeks old. I'll be on vacation for two weeks starting this Tuesday. That car rents for $200 a week. I arrived a week ago. It took him two weeks to paint the house.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Guardsmen spent two weeks of intensive training learning to use the detection system and plan to deploy it to provide security at large-scale public events. — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 In 2018, he was found guilty once more following a five-week trial and three days of deliberation, KUSA reports, and sentenced to life in prison. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026 Earlier this week, Toney shared a photo on his Instagram story from inside a private jet. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026 What’s next In the last two weeks there have been at least two meetings where residents discussed the project and community investments. — Dj Simmons august 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for week

Word History

Etymology

Middle English weke, from Old English wicu, wucu; akin to Old High German wehha week and perhaps to Latin vicis change, alternation, Old High German wehsal exchange

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of week was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing week

Rhymes for week

See All Rhymes for week

Browse Nearby Words

Wee Frees
week
week after next
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Week.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/week. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

week

noun
ˈwēk How to pronounce week (audio)
1
a
: seven days in a row
was sick for a week
b
: a period of seven days beginning with Sunday and ending with Saturday
the last week of the month
2
: the working or school days of the calendar week

More from Merriam-Webster on week

Nglish: Translation of week for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about week

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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