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

The prize will be presented in Stockholm on December 10th, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 6 Oct. 2026

For all of this and more, multi-generational families, married couples celebrating milestone anniversaries, and celebrities looking for privacy and discretion flock here. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Saturday celebrates the 35th anniversary of Fat Wreck Chords, with Dillinger Four, Teenage Bottlerocket, Dead to Me, Swingin’ Utters, Codefendants, Cobra Skulls, Nerf Herder, Get Dead, and others. — Dick Slaughter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

The ceremony also caps a year in which ARIA marked its 40th anniversary with a standalone Hall of Fame event in June, inducting Gurrumul, Jenny Morris, Kate Ceberano, Spiderbait, The Living End, and Vika & Linda. — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026

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