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

It's been a special occasion destination for Greenvillians for more than half a century, the site of innumerable prom dates and anniversary celebrations. —Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 10 May 2026

For him, Gleevec's 25th anniversary is a milestone. —Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 10 May 2026

Now co-owners of the restaurant, the Roccas are looking forward to celebrating Original Joe’s 70th anniversary with their customers on May 24, the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 9 May 2026

Owner Nikos Tsepetis recently commissioned Efthimis Filippou—the screenwriter behind many of Yorgos Lanthimos’s movies—to make a short film celebrating the hotel’s 30th anniversary. —Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 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