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

In February 2024, on the first anniversary of her death, family and friends gathered in Union, New Jersey, to celebrate her life and call for continued justice. —Essence, 10 June 2025

Not to mention a very special reunion of the original cast of Hamilton, including the show’s creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, to mark its 10th anniversary. —Melissa Locker, Time, 9 June 2025

The cult horror film starring Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried and Adam Brody is nearing its 20th anniversary, but sequel talk has moved at a steady clip in the years following its 2009 release. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 9 June 2025

The Okavango Delta, which last year celebrated its 10th anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world’s most remarkable wetland ecosystems. —Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 9 June 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