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

Just in time for its fourth anniversary, the Chicago Veterans' Home is expanding and making progress after starting with a series of delays. —Noel Brennan, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

Speaking in an interview on NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich Tonight, marking his one-year anniversary in office, the president was asked about threats to his life from Iranian leadership. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Jan. 2026

Paper and clocks are associated with first wedding anniversaries, or so the gift guides say. —Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026

This years also marks the 20th anniversary of the Ecco Receptor technology, celebrated with the launch of the new Receptor XP, a sneaker that combines outdoor elements with a sole designed for grip on different grounds. —Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 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