annexation

noun

an·​nex·​a·​tion ˌa-ˌnek-ˈsā-shən 

plural annexations

1

: the act of annexing something or the state of being annexed : the addition of an area or region to a country, state, etc.

The Senate rejected the Hawaiian reciprocity treaty, the purchase of the Virgin Islands from Denmark, the annexation of Santo Domingo and the annexation of Samoa.

—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

In the early part of the 20th century, Chinese writers generally dated the annexation of Tibet to the 18th century.

—Elliot Sperling

2

: something that is annexed

… defended their annexations with fire and sword.

—George Bernard Shaw

annexational

ˌa-ˌnek-ˈsā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

annexationist

ˌa-ˌnek-ˈsā-sh(ə-)nist 

noun

Examples of annexation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The push began after Russia's annexation of Crimea and accelerated in 2022 after Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. —Javier Zarracina, USA TODAY, 10 July 2024

The Hungarian authorities persecuted the Jews from the beginning of their annexation of the town. —Linda Chase, Sun Sentinel, 8 July 2024

Ramirez said annexation could occur as soon as a year from now if decisions are made at a steady pace. —Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 6 July 2024

The 1962 annexation of the last of Granville (16.5 square miles) was the largest land acquisition in city history. —La Risa R. Lynch, Journal Sentinel, 29 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1