1
: happening once a year
The annual meeting is in July.
It's time for your annual [=yearly] checkup.
The company's earnings for last year are published in the annual report.
2
: covering the period of a year
We had more snow this year than the average annual amount.
The company charges an annual fee of $45.
3
always used before a noun of a plant
: living for only one year or season : having a life cycle that is one year or season long
annual plants/herbs/flowers
plural annuals
1
: a plant that lives for only one year or season
We planted some annuals in front of the house.
2
: a book or magazine that is published once a year
Cite this Entry
“Annual.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/annual. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
