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Dictionary
biennial
adjective bi·en·ni·al \(ˌ)bī-ˈe-nē-əl\
: happening every two years
of a plant : living for only two years or seasons : having a life cycle that is two years or seasons long
Full Definition of BIENNIAL
1
: occurring every two years
2
: continuing or lasting for two years; specifically : growing vegetatively during the first year and fruiting and dying during the second
— biennial noun
— bi·en·ni·al·ly \-ə-lē\ adverb
See biennial defined for English-language learners
See biennial defined for kids
Usage Discussion of BIENNIAL
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First Known Use of BIENNIAL
1562
Other Number-Related Terms
Rhymes with BIENNIAL
BIENNIALLY Defined for Kids
1biennial
adjective bi·en·ni·al \bī-ˈe-nē-əl\
Definition of BIENNIAL for Kids
1
: occurring every two years <a biennial celebration>
2
: growing stalks and leaves one year and flowers and fruit the next before dying
— bi·en·ni·al·ly \-ē-ə-lē\ adverb
Word Root of BIENNIAL
The Latin word annus, meaning “year,” gives us the root ann or enn. Words from the Latin annus have something to do with a year. Anything that is annual happens once a year and anything biennial happens once every two years. An anniversary is the return every year of the date on which something special happened. Something perennial continues all year long or comes back each year.
2biennial
noun
Definition of BIENNIAL for Kids
: a biennial plant
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