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anniversary

noun an·ni·ver·sa·ry \ ˌa-nə-ˈvərs-rē , -ˈvər-sə- \
Updated on: 20 Apr 2018
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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

See anniversary defined for English-language learners

See anniversary defined for kids

Examples of anniversary in a Sentence

  1. the anniversary of the invasion

  2. The exhibit will close on the 100th anniversary of the artist's death.

Recent Examples of anniversary from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anniversary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of anniversary

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

Other Calendar Terms

antedate, estival, gloaming, luster, sesquicentennial

ANNIVERSARY Defined for English Language Learners

anniversary

noun

  • : a date that is remembered or celebrated because a special or notable event occurred on that date in a previous year

ANNIVERSARY Defined for Kids

anniversary

noun an·ni·ver·sa·ry \ ˌa-nə-ˈvərs-ə-rē , -ˈvərs-rē \
plural anniversaries
: a date remembered or celebrated every year because of something special that happened on it in an earlier year
  • a wedding anniversary

Word Root of anniversary

The Latin word annus, meaning “year,” gives us the root ann or enn. Words from the Latin annus have something to do with a year. Anything that is annual happens once a year and anything biennial happens once every two years. An anniversary is the return every year of the date on which something special happened. Something perennial continues all year long or comes back each year.

Learn More about anniversary

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of anniversary Nglish: Translation of anniversary for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of anniversary for Arabic speakers

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Examples: anniversary in a Sentence