A leap year is a calendar year that contains an additional day compared to a common year. The 366th day is added to keep the calendar year synchronised with the astronomical year or seasonal year. Since astronomical events and seasons do not repeat in a whole number of days, calendars having a constant number of days each year will unavoidably drift over time with respect to the event that the year is supposed to track, such as seasons. By inserting ("intercalating") an additional day—a leap day—or month—a leap month—into some years, the drift between a civilization's dating system and the physical properties of the Solar System can be corrected.

ఒక కాలెండరు సంవత్సరంలో మామూలుగా ఉండేదాని కంటే ఒక రోజు గానీ లేక ఒక నెల గాని అదనంగా ఉంటే, దానిని లీపు సంవత్సరం అంటారు.