annual

1 of 2

adjective

an·​nu·​al ˈan-yə(-wə)l How to pronounce annual (audio)
-yü-əl
1
: covering the period of a year
annual rainfall
annual income
2
: occurring or happening every year or once a year : yearly
an annual reunion
an annual physical checkup
3
: completing the life cycle in one growing season or single year
annual plants

annual

2 of 2

noun

1
: an event that occurs yearly
2
: a publication appearing yearly
the high-school annual
3
: something that lasts one year or season
specifically : a plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season

Examples of annual in a Sentence

Adjective The annual meeting is in July. The company's earnings for last year are published in the annual report. We had more snow this year than the average annual amount. The company charges an annual fee of $45. Noun We planted some annuals in front of the house.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Presented by the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul and Pepsi in partnership with Live Nation Urban, the annual event will take place once again during Mother’s Day weekend: May 10-12. Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 Over the weekend, in Selma, Ala., at the annual event marking Bloody Sunday 1965, when state troopers beat Black protesters marching for the right to vote, organizers held events to attract young African American voters. Kyle Gassiott, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024 On Tuesday, the British army added to the mass confusion when its official website said that Catherine would attend the Trooping the Colour military parade in June — an annual event that marks the monarch’s official birthday — before removing her name hours later. Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 The Princess of Wales, 42, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, had been listed on the official army website as leading the annual review of soldiers at Horse Guards Parade in London on June 8. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 The annual media industry conference is organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 The annuity is paid out as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments, according to the Mega Millions website. Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 In fact, Southern Living readers named them the best margaritas in Texas in our annual South’s Best Awards survey and awards. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 The Oscar winner hosted the 20th annual Desert Smash celebrity tennis tournament to support her charity, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024
Noun
These small, compact annuals provide sporadic color in the winter months and then form a carpet of blooms in the spring. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2024 Visit the local garden shop and research annuals, roses and flowering succulents with hints of the color. Cameron Sullivan, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2024 The basics of planting shrubs, annuals, and perennials will be discussed. Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2024 The likelihood of chance meetings with old friends and the opportunity to slip off to one of the many nearby bars and restaurants in Brookside contributes to the art annual’s ongoing appeal. Bill Brownlee, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024 Thousands of shrubs, perennials, annuals, bulbs and trees that offer visitors something to see in all seasons. Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024 For retailers, a survey by Levin Management Corp (their 13th annual) found that 30% of retailer respondents plan to open new stores in 2024, the highest level in the survey since 2017. Nikki Baird, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Many gardeners grow them as annuals, replacing them with heat-tolerant flowers in the summer. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2024 The patio entrance at the back, flanked by lush vegetation of both perennials and annuals, is the home’s main entry, giving the home a more informal feel than its classic architecture might suggest. Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'annual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French annuel, from Late Latin annualis, blend of Latin annuus yearly (from annus year) and Latin annalis yearly (from annus year); probably akin to Goth athnam (dative plural) years, Sanskrit atati he walks, goes

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of annual was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near annual

Cite this Entry

“Annual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annual. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

annual

1 of 2 adjective
an·​nu·​al ˈan-y(ə-w)əl How to pronounce annual (audio)
1
: covering the period of a year
annual rainfall
2
: occurring or performed once a year : yearly
an annual meeting
3
: completing the life cycle in one growing season or single year
annual plants
annually
adverb

annual

2 of 2 noun
1
: a publication appearing yearly
2
: an annual plant
Etymology

Adjective

Middle English annual "for a year," from early French annuel and Latin annualis (both, same meaning), derived from Latin annus "year"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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