academic year UK /ˌæk.əˈdɛm.ɪk jɪə/US /ˌæk.əˈdɛm.ɪk jɪɹ/ noun1 •The annual period during which a student attends school, college or university.In many countries the academic year starts in September and finishes in August of the next calendar year. formsacademic years