anniversary

noun

an·ni·ver·sa·ry ˌa-nə-ˈvərs-rē

-ˈvər-sə-

plural anniversaries

: 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

: the celebration of an anniversary

Example Sentences

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

Recent Examples on the Web On Sunday, Jill Biden, now the first lady, marked the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attacks by delivering remarks at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania — accompanied by Jacobs.

Darlene Superville, ajc, 11 Sep. 2022 On Sunday, Jill Biden, now the first lady, marked the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attacks by delivering remarks at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania — accompanied by Jacobs.

CBS News, 11 Sep. 2022 This past March marked the 20th anniversary of The Osbournes, the reality series that put Ozzy’s family under a microscope for three years while turning them into superstars.

Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2022 After celebrating the 20th anniversary of that project with shows this year, Jones will begin a short tour of Japan Oct. 11 in Sapporo.

Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 9 Sep. 2022 Its airing marks the 20th anniversary of the 1994 Winter Olympics figure skating competition and highlights the scandal that gripped the nation.

Kathy Ehrich Dowd, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2022 This week offers the 20th anniversary of the Time-Based Art Festival, a few stage plays, a celebration of German culture, and the Pendleton Round up.

Rosemarie Stein | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 7 Sep. 2022 Next year marks the 20th anniversary of Kelis' third album, 2003's Tasty, and her Grammy-winning hit.

Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 4 Sep. 2022 Late August marked the 10-year anniversary of my death.

Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2022 See More

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.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of anniversary was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century