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

Reeves and Bullock first linked up for the 1994 film Speed, which had its 30th anniversary and reunion screening last year at Beyond Fest. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 3 May 2025

What started five years ago has now become a special ritual, carried out on birthdays, anniversaries, and other important occasions, signifying the strong connection between Olesya Pavlyuk and her husband, Filipp, who have been married for eight years. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 3 May 2025

Reeves and Bullock jokingly pitched a concept for Speed 3 during an anniversary screening at Beyond Fest in Los Angeles last year. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 May 2025

Her remarks, delivered during a keynote speech at the 20th anniversary gala for Emerge America, marked her most extensive public comments since leaving office. —Melissa Noel, Essence, 2 May 2025

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