Do you need to know how many biweekly periods are in a year? I can help!
Here is the short answer:
- 'Biweekly' is an adjective or adverb that means every two weeks or occurring two times per week.
- 'Biweekly' can also be a noun for a publication that comes out every other week.
- Usually, when people say 'biweekly,' they mean every two weeks, but they can also mean two times per week.
- The number of 'biweekly' periods in a year depends on your use of the term.
- There are 26 'biweekly' pay periods in the year.
There is much more to learn about the meaning of 'biweekly.' So, to learn exactly how to interpret and use the term, keep reading this guide.
How Many 'Biweekly' Periods Are There During a Year?
The number of 'biweekly' periods in a year depends on your use of the term. Most people use the term when they are referring to pay periods.
- 'Biweekly' pay is every two weeks. So, when you are using the word in that context, there are 26 'biweekly' periods.
You can also use 'biweekly' to refer to something that happens two times per week, in which case there are 104 periods each year.
- However, most people use the term semiweekly when they are talking about something that occurs two times per week.
So, if someone asks you how many 'biweekly' periods are in a year, it could be 26 or 104, but it is usually 26.
When and How to Use 'Biweekly'
As I mentioned, you can use 'biweekly' in two ways. So, here are a few tips for using the term.
- When you use 'biweekly' as a term for something that occurs two times per week, give context clues or use the term 'semiweekly.'
For example, you might say:
The class is biweekly and meets every Tuesday and Friday at 6 p.m.
- Use 'biweekly' when referring to pay periods that occur every two weeks.
So, you could say:
We receive biweekly paychecks. So, depending on whether or not you use direct deposit, you will receive your check every other Thursday or Friday.
- Use 'biweekly' when referring to an event that occurs every other week.
As an example, I might say something like:
We meet biweekly on Saturdays to practice, but I feel like we would benefit from weekly meetups.
- Use 'biweekly' as a noun to refer to a publication printed every other week.
So, you might say:
Our new biweekly magazine hits newsstands every other Sunday.
Definition of 'Biweekly': What Does 'Biweekly' Mean?
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'biweekly' can be an adjective or adverb that means:
- Occurring every other week or every two weeks
It can also mean:
- Occurring two times per week
Synonyms of 'Biweekly'
Here are some synonyms for the noun form of 'biweekly.'
- Periodical
- Magazine
- Journal
- Newspaper
- Mag
- Edition
- Review
- Bulletin
- Newsletter
- Gazette
- Slick
- Tabloid
Terms and Phrases with 'Biweekly'
- Biweekly pay
- Biweekly publication
- Biweekly classes
- Biweekly meetings
- Biweekly conference call
- Biweekly appointments
- Biweekly checkups
Similar Terms to 'Biweekly'
Pronunciation: How to Pronounce 'Biweekly'
You have already learned a lot about the term, including how many 'biweekly' periods are in a year, the definition, and how to use it. So, let's look at how you pronounce 'biweekly.'
Here is a pronunciation guide you can reference.
- Use this phonetic spelling to pronounce 'biweekly':
bī-wē-klē
Sample Sentences Using 'Biweekly'
We are almost finished, but before you go, read the sample sentences below using 'biweekly.' They will help you cement the meaning of the term into your memory and learn different ways to use it.
Biweekly
- The biweekly pay periods are challenging to get used to after receiving weekly pay for so many years.
- I need the biweekly report on my desk before you leave the office today so I can review it before the meeting tomorrow morning.
- If you receive biweekly paychecks, you must set aside enough money to make it two weeks until you receive your next check.
- I prefer to use the term semiweekly rather than biweekly if I am talking about something that happens twice a week.
- You should join us at our Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover biweekly book club. At each meeting, we assign a new title. Then, you have two weeks to read it before we meet to discuss it.
- Did you know that paying your mortgage payment biweekly can save you years of interest payments because you end up making an additional payment each year?
- Most companies offer semiweekly or biweekly pay periods, but some pay weekly or monthly.
- You need to report for biweekly sales meetings. They are on Tuesday at 8 a.m. and last for about 45 minutes.
- Depending on the way you use 'biweekly' it can mean every two weeks or two times each week.
A Last Look at How Many 'Biweekly' Periods Are in a Year
Before you go, here is a quick recap of what you learned about how many 'biweekly' periods are in a year:
- 'Biweekly' is an adjective, adverb, or noun that means every two weeks.
- 'Biweekly' can also mean two times per week, so it is important to use context clues that tell the reader or listener what you mean.
- If you mean every two weeks, there are 26 periods in a year.
- When you mean twice a week, there are 104 periods in a year.
Biweekly is a commonly used term for payroll periods. So, it is important to know exactly what the term means.
Remember, biweekly means you get paid every other week, usually on Friday. If you receive biweekly pay, you receive an additional check twice each year. If you are paid semimonthly, you receive a paycheck two times per month, usually on the 1st and the 15th.
You can also learn about hundreds of commonly mistaken terms in the confusing words section here. Each post is written to help you improve your writing skills, whether you are learning English as a second language or working on your writing skills.
