Dictionary

biennial en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /baɪˈɛn.i.əl/
• (US) audio

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin bienni(um) (“two-year period”) [from bis, bi- (“twice”) + annus (“year”)] + -al (suffix forming adjectives). By surface analysis, bi- + -ennial.

Meanings

1. (not-comparable) Happening every two years.
   • This is a marked difference from the task force’s previous guidance, which was to start biennial mammograms by age 50. 2024 May 8, Katia Hetter, “Mammograms are now recommended starting at age 40. Should you get one?”, in CNN:
2. (not-comparable) Lasting for two years.

Deriveds

quasi-biennial oscillation · bienniality

Relateds

semiannual · biennium · biannual · biennially

Synonyms

biannual · biennary

Translations (44)

ja 二年ごとの (happening every two years) · fr bisannuel (happening every two years) · pl dwuletni (lasting for two years) · es bienal (happening every two years) · be двухгадо́вы (lasting for two years) · de biennal (happening every two years) · ga débhliantúil (happening every two years) · de zweijährig (lasting for two years) · ja 二年間続く (lasting for two years) · gd dà bhliadhnail (happening every two years) · es bienal (lasting for two years) · gv daa-vleinoil (happening every two years) · uk дворі́чний (happening every two years) · ca biennal (happening every two years) · fi kaksivuotinen (lasting for two years) · ca bianual (happening every two years) · ru двухле́тний (lasting for two years) · de zweijährlich (happening every two years) · be двухгадо́вы (happening every two years) · de biennal (lasting for two years) · pl dwuroczny (lasting for two years) · gd dà bhliadhnail (lasting for two years) · pt bienal (happening every two years) · gl bienal (happening every two years) · pl codwuroczny (happening every two years) · uk дволі́тній (happening every two years) · kk екіжылдық (lasting for two years) · ga débhliantúil (lasting for two years) · ru двухгоди́чный (happening every two years) · fr biennal (lasting for two years) · uk дворі́чний (lasting for two years) · fr biennal (happening every two years) · el διετής (lasting for two years) · ro bienal (lasting for two years) · nl tweejaarlijks (happening every two years) · bg двугоди́шен (happening every two years) · ro bienal (happening every two years) · gv daa-vleinoil (lasting for two years) · it biennale (happening every two years) · uk дволі́тній (lasting for two years) · pt bienal (lasting for two years) · pl codwuletni (happening every two years) · fi joka toinen vuosi tapahtuva (happening every two years) · ja 二年生の (lasting for two years)

biennial en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /baɪˈɛn.i.əl/
• (US) audio

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin bienni(um) (“two-year period”) [from bis, bi- (“twice”) + annus (“year”)] + -al (suffix forming adjectives). By surface analysis, bi- + -ennial.

Meanings

1. A plant that requires two years to complete its life-cycle, germinating and growing in its first year, then producing its flowers and fruit in its second year, after which it usually dies.
2. An event that happens every two years.
   • The famous Biennial was won by Earl of Dartrey, a light, peacocky horse, who was, perhaps, better than he looked. 1891, Sir George Chetwynd, Racing Reminiscences and Experiences of the Turf, page 122:

Forms

Relateds

quincentennial · perennial · novennial · annual · quinquennial · septennial · sexennial · decennial · quadrennial · bicentennial · triennial · centennial · octennial · millennial · vicennial

Translations (9)

sk bienále (event) · cmn 二年生植物 (plant) · ga débhliantóg (plant) · tr bienal (event) · fr bisannuelle (plant) · sv biennal (event) · fi biennaali (event) · gd lus dà bhliadhnail (plant) · it biennale (event)