# almanac

/ˈɑɫməˌnæk/ (US) · /ˈɒlmɐnˌæk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/almanac
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. astronomical/yearly book

noun · CEFR C2 · General-service

a book or table that lists events for the year, such as the positions of the stars, the tides, and the weather.

For teachers: an annual publication containing a calendar with astronomical data, tide tables, and often weather forecasts or seasonal information.

- The farmer checked his almanac to see when the first frost was expected.
- Historically, the nautical almanac was an essential tool for navigators, providing the precise celestial coordinates required to determine a ship's position at sea.

Usage: Usually used with the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific publication.

### 2. general information handbook

noun · CEFR C2 · General-service

a book published every year that gives facts and statistics about many different subjects.

For teachers: a yearly handbook containing a collection of miscellaneous facts, statistical data, and information on a specific subject or field.

- You can look up the population of any country in this world almanac.
- The political almanac provides a comprehensive breakdown of voting patterns and legislative achievements for every sitting member of parliament.

### 3. GPS satellite data

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a digital signal from a satellite that tells a GPS device where all the other satellites are.

For teachers: a set of data transmitted by every GPS satellite containing coarse orbit and status information for all satellites in the constellation.

- The GPS receiver needs to download the latest almanac before it can find your location.
- If a GPS device has been powered off for several months, it must acquire a new almanac to efficiently locate available satellite signals.

Usage: Often used in the context of 'acquiring' or 'downloading' the data.

## Examples

- I checked the almanac to see when the sun would rise.
- Farmers traditionally consulted a yearly almanac to determine the best dates for planting and harvesting based on lunar cycles.
- The nautical almanac remains an essential backup for maritime navigation, providing the precise celestial coordinates required to determine a ship's position should electronic systems fail.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.