anniversary

noun an·ni·ver·sa·ry \ ˌa-nə-ˈvərs-rē , -ˈvər-sə- \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: anniversary in a Sentence

Definition of anniversary

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

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

Recent Examples of anniversary from the Web

Harriett said having them there helps make the anniversary bearable for her, too.

— samantha melamed, Philly.com, "After 26 years working with at-risk teens, can a Philly couple forgive the one who killed their son?," 13 July 2018
Roll call: The White Sox expect a strong turnout from their 1993 team on Saturday, which will be honored for the 25-year anniversary of their American League West title.

— phil rogers, chicagotribune.com, "White Sox give slumping Royals killer Matt Davidson a rest," 13 July 2018
Certain dates, like the date and anniversary of your loss may also be hard to handle, Zucker says.

— korin miller, SELF, "After Multiple Miscarriages, Pregnant Jana Kramer Reflects on Her Grief," 13 July 2018
In her statement, the activist hopes the anniversary reminds nations around the world to take steps in preventing another genocide as millions of refugees are displaced.

— ale russian, PEOPLE.com, "Angelina Jolie Reflects on 23rd Anniversary of Bosnian Genocide: 'Time Cannot Diminish the Pain'," 11 July 2018
The air force's actual 100th birthday was in April, but today's celebrations arrive 100 days after the anniversary, according to the RAF's website.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle Wears Custom Dior to the RAF 100th Anniversary Celebrations," 10 July 2018
The first anniversary of Liu Xiaobo's death is Friday.

— Fox News, "Nobel widow Liu Xia leaves China after 8 years' house arrest," 10 July 2018
Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 will take over Johannesburg's FNB Stadium for three days before the fifth anniversary of the passing of the human rights activist, leader and revolutionary on Dec. 13, 2013.

— hilary hughes, Billboard, "Beyonce & JAY-Z, Ed Sheeran, Eddie Vedder and More to Headline Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100," 9 July 2018
Southwest Airlines unveiled its annual Shark Week planes on Monday to honor the 30-year anniversary of Discovery Channel's popular summertime programming.

— andrea leinfelder, Houston Chronicle, "Southwest planes get some teeth to honor Discovery Channel's Shark Week," 9 July 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Calendar Terms

antedate, estival, gloaming, luster, sesquicentennial

ANNIVERSARY Defined for English Language Learners

anniversary

noun

Definition of anniversary for English Language Learners

: 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 \

Definition of anniversary for Students

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.