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

Crown Point resident Susan McKendry, during the public hearing portion of the annexation request, asked about how the new business park would be serviced in regards to utilities. —Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025

Earlier this week, some far-right members of Netanyahu's ruling coalition vowed to push through annexation plans, calling it the best way to prevent a Palestinian state. —Jordana Miller, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025

Israel reportedly considering annexation in the West Bank Israel is reportedly considering annexing parts of the occupied West Bank in response to several Western countries’ plans to recognize a Palestinian state. —Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025

One of the main options being considered is annexation of the Jordan Valley – a strip of land on the eastern edge of the West Bank that runs along the Jordan River. —Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for annexation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation