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 two-part series will screen during the festive period this year on BBC One and iPlayer, ahead of the format celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025

Sugar first resurfaced in 2011, as the 20th anniversary of Copper Blue approached. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2025

Her 50th birthday anniversary is coming up next year and that’s going to be a very big thing. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025

The center, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, typically hosts live entertainment during the event and showcases the work of its senior citizen artists. —Micah Walker, Freep.com, 15 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