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

Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 have been seen by some as a violation of the terms of the Budapest memorandum. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024

So much so that many experts say annexation of the part of the West Bank where most Jewish settlers live has already become a reality, sparking ire both regionally and internationally. —Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Nov. 2024

The propositions residents will see on the ballot are: Proposition A, which would allow the City Council to adjust city boundaries through annexation or dis-annexation as needed, and gives it jurisdiction over those areas. —Vivien Ayers, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024

Amendment 10 gives county leaders new authority to govern annexations — or cities bringing unincorporated land within their boundaries. —Ryan Gillespie, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1