anniversary

noun

an·​ni·​ver·​sa·​ry ˌa-nə-ˈvərs-rē How to pronounce anniversary (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The closest America came was a 2003 federal indictment of a Cuban general and two fighter pilots — until this year, the 30th anniversary of the shootdown. — Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 Their action comes on the one-year anniversary of the brazen jewelry heist at the same museum. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Since then, the band have shared a 2025 reissue of their greatest-hits collection Joy In Repetition, appeared on the second season of Netflix’s Beef, and celebrated the 20th anniversary of their second album, The Warning. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026 American manufacturing has been part of Wolverine’s story for generations and America’s 250th anniversary gave us an opportunity to celebrate that heritage while recognizing the people who continue to build the country today. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anniversary

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of anniversary was in the 13th century

Rhymes for anniversary

See All Rhymes for anniversary

Browse Nearby Words

Anniston
anniversary
anniversary clock
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anniversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anniversary. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

anniversary

noun
an·​ni·​ver·​sa·​ry ˌan-ə-ˈvərs-(ə-)rē How to pronounce anniversary (audio)
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

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