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

Fans have speculated on TikTok, X, Facebook and beyond that, a Hannah Montana concert or tour could happen for the show's 20th anniversary. —Allison Kiehl, The Tennessean, 30 July 2025

Devendra Banhart is reissuing his 2005 album, Cripple Crow, for its 20th anniversary. —Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 29 July 2025

Young people take part in a ball in Pyongyang on July 26, the eve of the 72nd anniversary of the armistice agreement that ended the 1950-1953 Korean War. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025

In 2020, in honor of the bygone trend’s 10th anniversary, Piccioli tapped guest designers for the rockstud collection. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 28 July 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