Homonym: One Quarter (Quarter)
One quarter is a term commonly used to refer to a three-month period in a calendar year. In business and finance, companies often divide their fiscal year into four quarters to report earnings and performance. Each quarter is typically labeled as Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, corresponding to the first, second, third, and fourth segments of the year.
In the context of education, a quarter can also refer to an academic term that lasts about ten to twelve weeks. Many colleges and universities operate on a quarter system, allowing students to take multiple courses throughout the year. This system contrasts with the semester system, which usually divides the academic year into two longer terms.