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 restaurant opened against very tough competition from Mezcales across the street, a large and traditional Tex-Mex restaurant in a former steakhouse, and El Paseo, a longtime Fort Worth favorite celebrating its 40th anniversary. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

To mark the groundbreaking film’s 40th anniversary, Scary Movies is honored to host McNaughton in person for the world premiere of a brand-new 4K restoration. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 July 2026

As his debut album approaches its one-year anniversary, Mason’s been feeling introspective about his career and the project. — Naomi Jeffries, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026

The tour visited five US cities over the course of two years, spanning the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing in 2019. — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 15 July 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