annexation

noun

an·​nex·​a·​tion ˌa-ˌnek-ˈsā-shən 

plural annexations

1

: the act of annexing something or the state of being annexed : the addition of an area or region to a country, state, etc.

The Senate rejected the Hawaiian reciprocity treaty, the purchase of the Virgin Islands from Denmark, the annexation of Santo Domingo and the annexation of Samoa.

—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

In the early part of the 20th century, Chinese writers generally dated the annexation of Tibet to the 18th century.

—Elliot Sperling

2

: something that is annexed

… defended their annexations with fire and sword.

—George Bernard Shaw

annexational

ˌa-ˌnek-ˈsā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

annexationist

ˌa-ˌnek-ˈsā-sh(ə-)nist 

noun

Examples of annexation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2019, the United States became the only country to recognize Israel’s 1981 annexation. —Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024

Remley was supportive of growth and progress in the city, often voting in support of annexation and once in support of an affordable housing project that would raze a historic city ball field. —Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 27 Dec. 2024

And recognition of Russian annexations is rightly considered a nonstarter for both Ukraine and its Western backers. —Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024

Burgis added that the new evaluation could see ratings improve to Class 3 or better, which, based on increases in staffing and other benefits of the annexation into Contra Costa Fire, will help improve insurance rates. —Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1