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

As Maps approaches its 20th anniversary in February, Google is working hard to keep that lead, with the help of the new cameras, as well as generative artificial intelligence. —Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 18 Jan. 2025

At a Tuesday, Jan. 14, event celebrating the show’s 55th anniversary at New York City’s 92NY, Judy Blye Wilson, who served as All My Children’s casting director from 1991 until the show’s network TV finale in 2011, recalled having to replace Boseman with his future Black Panther costar Jordan. —John Russell, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025

To mark its 10th anniversary, it has been completely restyled, drawing inspiration from the bistrots of the 1970s, with pieces of furniture and works of art from that period. —Andrea Onate, WWD, 17 Jan. 2025

One of my favorite rom-coms of yours is Down to You with Freddie Prinze Jr., which is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025. —Ilana Kaplan, Vogue, 17 Jan. 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

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