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

Ultimately, the approvals considered Tuesday for Project Steel — on annexation, rezoning of the property, a Planned Unit Development agreement, and the utility and infrastructure and development agreements — were all approved. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

Fort Worth and Aledo are asking the court to void Willow Park’s annexations of the Beall property and the Bankhead Highway right-of-way, as well as void Willow Park’s new city limits map. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026

Cook said her group would closely watch how Castle Pines’ council crafts the city’s annexation policy over the next few months to determine whether to resume the battle against Crowsnest, should the developer submit another application. —John Aguilar, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026

Rancher Rick Plummer, whose family raises quarter horses, has sued over the city's annexation of land neighboring his property for the data center. —Bracey Harris, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for annexation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation