the period beginning with the year of Christ's birth. Dates in this era are labelled ad, those previous to it bc
Also called: Common Era
Christian Era in American English
the era beginning with the year 1, formerly thought to be that of the birth of Jesus Christ (born probably c. 8-4 b.c.): a.d. (or c.e.) marks dates in this era, b.c. (or b.c.e.) marks dates before it