As a Noun: 1. A period of a year before the time of talking. English = the past year. 2. A period of one year before some reference time in the past. English = the previous year, the year before that. As Modifier: 1. Used at the beginning or end of a sentence to mean the action took place sometime during the previous twelve months or year. English = in the past year, during the past year. 2. Used at the beginning or end of a sentence to mean the action took place sometime during the twelve months or year before the reference time. English = in the previous year, during the previous year.