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 hotel had a special statue commissioned to honor its 20th anniversary. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026

Also on the docket are a host of more evergreen releases, from the first wide release of the fabled Air Foamposite One Tianjin to several Air Jordans and a blind box release celebrating the 30th anniversary of Kobe Bryant being drafted into the NBA. —Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 31 May 2026

The 250th anniversary is fantastic. —ABC News, 31 May 2026

To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, USA TODAY dispatched reporters to follow iconic American journeys and retrace pathways that helped define us as a country and a people. —Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 31 May 2026

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