bicentennial

noun

bi·​cen·​ten·​ni·​al ˌbī-(ˌ)sen-ˈte-nē-əl 

: a 200th anniversary or its celebration

bicentennial adjective

Examples of bicentennial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The nation’s bicentennial, in 1976, also arrived at a fraught moment, just two years after the resignation of President Richard Nixon. — Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

And fifty years ago, Meet the Press marked America’s bicentennial, on July 4, 1976, with a special edition of the broadcast, asking governors to reflect on the nation’s sense of purpose at its 200th birthday. — NBC news, 5 July 2026

The bicentennial was an obvious time to take stock of things — and to speculate what life might be like 50 years later. — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2026

Fifty years ago, during the bicentennial, Ellis was a public affairs graduate student at the University of Texas in Austin. — Susan Bence, NPR, 4 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bicentennial

• biennial
• centennial
• decennial
• millennial
• perennial
• quadrennial
• quinquennial
• triennial
• sesquicentennial

Kids Definition

bicentennial

adjective

bi·​cen·​ten·​ni·​al ˌbī-(ˌ)sen-ˈten-ē-əl 

: relating to a 200th anniversary

bicentennial noun