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

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors recently recognized the 50th anniversary of West Valley Community Services (WVCS). —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024

The timing reportedly coincided with Prince Harry's trip to the U.K. in May for the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games. —Janine Henni, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

It was released in 2021 for the Reverso’s 90th anniversary and is the most complicated Reverso ever made. —Sophie Furley, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024

Steubenville Nutcracker Village, Steubenville, Ohio Celebrating its 10-year anniversary of the world's largest life-size nutcracker display, Steubenville Nutcracker Village will showcase 215 statues, with 10 new and highly anticipated creations unveiled during opening night. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

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