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 couple celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary on June 25, 2025, and Kidman honored the occasion by posting a photo of them cuddling up together. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025

Mamoru Oshii’s cult anime Angel’s Egg returns in a 40th anniversary 4K restoration, and Shoji Kawamori unveils his new original feature Labyrinth. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025

His spring 2026 collection of shoes, handbags and accessories, to be unveiled on Friday, will mark the 60th anniversary of the Belle Vivier, the house’s most famous style. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025

As Saturday Night Live celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this year, the discussion about the show’s legacy rarely focused on its comedy. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 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