era

The definition of an era is a period of time in history that is unified by cultural or historical factors.

(noun)

An example of an era is the industrial era.

See era in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a system of reckoning time by numbering the years from some important occurrence or given point of time: the Christian Era
an event or date that marks the beginning of a new or important period in the history of something
a period of time measured from some important occurrence or date
a period of time considered in terms of noteworthy and characteristic events, developments, individuals, etc.: an era of progress
Geol. a subdivision of an eon

Origin: LL aera, era, earlier senses, “counters,” “items of account” < pl. of L aes (gen. aeris), copper: see ore

See era in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A period of time as reckoned from a specific date serving as the basis of its chronological system.
a. A period of time characterized by particular circumstances, events, or personages: the Colonial era of U.S. history; the Reagan era.
b. A point that marks the beginning of such a period of time. See Synonyms at period.
The longest division of geologic time, made up of one or more periods.

Origin:

Origin: Late Latin aera

Origin: , from Latin, counters

Origin: , pl. of aes, aer-, bronze coin; see ayes- in Indo-European roots

abbreviation