annual

adjective an·nu·al \ ˈan-yə(-wə)l , -yü-əl \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of annual

1 : covering the period of a year

annual rainfall

annual income

2 : occurring or happening every year or once a year : yearly

an annual reunion

an annual physical checkup

3 : completing the life cycle in one growing season or single year

annual plants

—

annually

adverb

See annual defined for English-language learners

See annual defined for kids

Examples of annual in a Sentence

The annual meeting is in July.
The company's earnings for last year are published in the annual report.
We had more snow this year than the average annual amount.
The company charges an annual fee of $45.

Recent Examples of annual from the Web

The winner will run one of America’s largest states with an annual budget approaching $90 billion.

— gray rohrer, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Central Florida donors line up behind governor candidates," 11 May 2018
Since 2008, the U.S. has provided roughly half of the Commission’s $12 to $15 million annual budget.

— rachel schwartz, Washington Post, "Is Russia meddling in Guatemala’s anti-corruption commission? The real story might surprise you.," 9 May 2018
Columbia Park flower sale - The Columbia Park Garden Club will have its annual plant sale this Friday and Saturday.

— joanne berger dumound/special to cleveland.com., cleveland.com, "National Day of Prayer brings joy to those who attend: Olmsted Dates and Data," 7 May 2018
The new sites would have an annual budget of $500,000, according to contracting documents released Friday.

— ian duncan, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore seeks groups to launch three new locations of Safe Streets anti-violence program," 7 May 2018
Mark your calendar for the annual Whipps Garden plant sale.

— lisa peklo, Howard County Times, "There's a lot to 'baaa' about at sheep and wool festival[West Friendship]," 3 May 2018
Baffert and most major players in the industry were in Ocala, Fla., last week for the annual 2-year-olds-in-training sale.

— john cherwa, latimes.com, "Trainers say more horses running in the Kentucky Derby doesn't give them any strategic advantage," 3 May 2018
The school has a $4 million annual budget, with tuition generating about 90 percent of that.

— melanie burney, Philly.com, "Holy Cross Academy reaches deal. Burlington County's lone Catholic school is saved," 1 May 2018
A year ago, Nintendo was projecting sales of just 10 million Switch units for its first full year and was forced to increase production significantly ahead of the holiday season to reach 15 million annual sales.

— kyle orland, Ars Technica, "Switch is selling well, but Nintendo thinks it can sell even better," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'annual.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of annual

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French annuel, from Late Latin annualis, blend of Latin annuus yearly (from annus year) and Latin annalis yearly (from annus year); probably akin to Goth athnam (dative plural) years, Sanskrit atati he walks, goes

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Botany Terms

burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

annual

noun

Definition of annual

1 : an event that occurs yearly

2 : a publication appearing yearly

the high-school annual

3 : something that lasts one year or season; specifically : a plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season

See annual defined for English-language learners

Examples of annual in a Sentence

We planted some annuals in front of the house.

Recent Examples of annual from the Web

The publication is a departure from the company’s traditional fact-packed, believe-it-or-not annuals.

— dewayne bevil, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Ripley bringing oddities to downtown Orlando art show," 14 May 2018
Vendors from across the county will supply an array of plants ranging from succulents, veggies, annuals and perennials to Staghorn ferns, bromeliads and proteas.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Gala raises $170K for Boys & Girls Club," 11 May 2018
On Saturday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., this community event and fundraiser features annuals and perennials, trees and shrubs, home décor and local crafts.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Windsor Locks Edition," 8 May 2018
Exotic tropicals, local wildflowers, splashy annuals, staid evergreens, reliable perennials and structural shrubs can all coexist in chaos.

— amy merrick, WSJ, "5 Lessons From the Punk Rockers of Gardening," 26 Apr. 2018
Spring Plant Sale offers both annuals and perennials for pick up on May 12.

— elaine rewolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A listing of home and garden events for the Milwaukee area (Spring 2018 edition)," 9 Apr. 2018
Trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, assorted garden treasures and books will be for sale.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Wethersfield Edition," 1 May 2018
Annual Plant Sale of annuals, perennials, shrubs, grasses, house plants and more...most grown and cared for by club members.

— Lake County News-Sun, "Calendar: Quilts to be displayed in Lake Bluff," 29 Apr. 2018
Trim faded flowers from annuals to encourage new blooms.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "May in the garden," 28 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of annual

see ¹annual

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Calendar Terms

antedate, estival, gloaming, luster, sesquicentennial

ANNUAL Defined for English Language Learners

annual

adjective

Definition of annual for English Language Learners

: happening once a year
: covering the period of a year
of a plant : living for only one year or season : having a life cycle that is one year or season long

annual

noun

Definition of annual for English Language Learners

: a plant that lives for only one year or season
: a book or magazine that is published once a year

ANNUAL Defined for Kids

annual

adjective an·nu·al \ ˈan-yə-wəl \

Definition of annual for Students

1 : coming, happening, done, made, or given once a year

The library holds an annual book sale.

2 : completing the life cycle in one growing season

annual plants

—

annually

adverb

She visits her aunt annually.

Word Root of annual

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.