annual

¹an·nu·al

adjective \ˈan-yə(-wə)l, -yü-əl\

Definition of ANNUAL

1

: covering the period of a year <annual rainfall>

2

: occurring or happening every year or once a year : yearly <an annual reunion>

3

: completing the life cycle in one growing season or single year <annual plants>

— an·nu·al·ly adverb

Examples of ANNUAL

1. The annual meeting is in July.
2. The company's earnings for last year are published in the annual report.
3. We had more snow this year than the average annual amount.
4. The company charges an annual fee of $45.

Origin of ANNUAL

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 Gothic athnam (dative plural) years, Sanskrit atati he walks, goes

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Botany Terms

burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

²annual

noun

Definition of ANNUAL

1

: an event that occurs yearly

2

: a publication appearing yearly

3

: something that lasts one year or season; specifically : a plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season

Examples of ANNUAL

1. We planted some annuals in front of the house.

First Known Use of ANNUAL

14th century

Other Calendar Terms

antedate, estival, gloaming, luster, sesquicentennial

annual

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any plant that completes its life cycle in a single growing season. The dormant seed is the only part of an annual that survives from one growing season to the next. Annuals include many weeds, wildflowers, garden flowers, and vegetables. See also biennial, perennial.