biennial
UK: /baɪˈen.i.əl/ | US: /baɪˈen.i.əl/
adj. occurring every two years
adj. lasting for two years
n. an event or plant that occurs or completes its lifecycle in two years
biennial = bi<two> + enn<year> + ial<adjective suffix>
- bi<two>: From Latin bi-, meaning "two" or "twice."
- enn<year>: From Latin annus, meaning "year." The spelling assimilates to enn- when combined with prefixes (e.g., biennium).
- ial<adjective suffix>: A Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives, indicating "relating to."
Etymology Origin:
The word biennial traces back to Latin biennium ("a period of two years"), combining bi- (two) and annus (year). The spelling evolved to biennial in English, retaining the core meaning of "two-year cycles." This structure is shared with similar time-related terms like biannual (twice a year) and centennial (100-year period), showcasing Latin's influence on temporal vocabulary.
The conference is a biennial event, held every even-numbered year.
This plant is biennial, flowering only in its second year.
The club publishes a biennial report to summarize its activities.
She attends the biennial art exhibition without fail.
The festival’s biennial schedule ensures ample preparation time.