dawn of a new era

/dɔːn əv ə nuː ˈɪərə/

start of a significant new period

The invention of the internet marked the dawn of a new era in communication.

This means the internet's invention began a major new phase in how people communicate.

formal

the beginning of a significant new period in history or human development

The fall of the Berlin Wall heralded the dawn of a new era in European politics.

This event signaled the start of a major new phase in Europe's political landscape.

Scientists believe AI will lead to the dawn of a new era in healthcare diagnostics.

They think AI will initiate a significant new period in medical diagnostic methods.

Often used metaphorically to describe transformative changes in society, technology, or culture.

Collocations

herald the dawn ofto announce or signal the beginning of something importantmark the dawn ofto indicate the start of a new significant perioddawn of a new agesimilar meaning, often used interchangeably

Synonyms

beginning of a new era start of a new age onset of a new phase birth of a new period

Antonyms

end of an era close of a chapter conclusion of a period

Related Phrases

turn of the centuryphrase

the transition period between two centuries, often marking significant changes

watershed momentphrase

a critical point that marks a significant change in development or direction

paradigm shiftphrase

a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions

Pro Tip

Usage in Academic Writing

Use this phrase when describing historical transitions or technological revolutions. It works well in introductions to emphasize the significance of a change.

Gold Rule

Metaphorical Meaning

Always use 'dawn of a new era' metaphorically to describe beginnings, never literally about sunrise.

Formal Tone

This phrase is most appropriate for formal writing, speeches, or academic contexts rather than casual conversation.

Word Origin

The phrase combines 'dawn' (from Old English 'dæg', meaning 'day') with 'era' (from Latin 'aera', meaning 'fixed date'). The metaphorical use of 'dawn' to represent beginnings dates back to at least the 16th century.

Usage Notes

This phrase is typically used in formal or literary contexts to describe transformative historical, technological, or social changes. It carries a positive connotation of progress and new opportunities.

Word Breakdown

dawn

beginning or start

noun

of a new era

a significant new period in history

prepositional phrase

English Dictionary

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