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 band is also confirmed as part of the lineup for Riot Fest’s 20th anniversary in September. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2025

In 2019 for the Bears' 100th anniversary, Bears Centennial Scrapbook authors Don Pierson and Dan Pompei chose the top 100 Bears of all time, and McMichael was number 19. —Victoria Edel, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Twenty bands will play full album sets for Riot Fest’s 20th anniversary this summer, the music festival announced Thursday. —Doug George, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025

All of this has nothing to do with Kelce’s relationship with Swift now, which is hitting the 2 year anniversary mark. —Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 23 Apr. 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