Au'gust, the sixth month in the Roman year, which began with March. It was originally called Sextilis, and received its present name in honor of the Emperor Augustus, because several of the most important events of his life occurred in this month. In this month he was first elected consul and three times entered Rome in triumph; in the same month an end was put to the civil wars. To make it equal to the fifth month, a day was taken from February and added to August.