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

North’s longtime wife, Betsy, died late last November, soon after their 56th wedding anniversary. —Josh Meyer, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025

The effort to remember the disaster began a year ago, shortly after The Charlotte Observer produced a five-part series and a 30-minute video documentary (now available for free on YouTube) on the 50th anniversary of the crash. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025

Now, half a century later, the group is celebrating its 50th anniversary at the historic and gorgeous Messina Orchard on North Capitol Avenue. —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025

This 8th installment marks the 10-year anniversary of the longest and most successful Vietnam film franchise. —Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 10 Sep. 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