anniversary

noun

an·​ni·​ver·​sa·​ry ˌa-nə-ˈvərs-rē 

-ˈvər-sə-

plural anniversaries

1

: the annual recurrence of a date marking a notable event

a wedding anniversary

broadly : a date that follows such an event by a specified period of time measured in units other than years

the 6-month anniversary of the accident

2

: the celebration of an anniversary

Examples of anniversary in a Sentence

the anniversary of the invasion

The exhibit will close on the 100th anniversary of the artist's death.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Paris Agreement hits its 10th anniversary and COP30 brings an important deadline for participating countries to update their emissions reduction plans which, so far have fallen short of the Paris targets. —Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025

The parade will recognize the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025

As tradition holds, the five-day event—which will be celebrating its 27th anniversary next year—will include panels, workshops, showcases, and networking opportunities with key industry leaders and like-minded music lovers. —Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025

Bergeron, 70, will be a guest judge on the upcoming episode — which will mark the show's 20th anniversary — alongside Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough. —Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English anniversarie, from Medieval Latin anniversarium, from Latin, neuter of anniversarius returning annually, from annus year + versus, past participle of vertere to turn — more at annual, worth

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for anniversary

• bursary
• cursory
• nursery

Kids Definition

anniversary

noun

an·​ni·​ver·​sa·​ry ˌan-ə-ˈvərs-(ə-)rē 

plural anniversaries

1

a

: the annual return of the date of a special event

b

: a date that follows such an event by a specified period of time

the 6-month anniversary of the accident

2

: the celebration of an anniversary

Etymology

Middle English anniversarie "anniversary," from Latin anniversarium (same meaning), literally "turning of the year," from annus "year" and versus "turned," from vertere "to turn" — related to converse, universe, versatile