an·nu·al
ˈan-yə(-wə)l 
-yü-əl
1
: covering the period of a year
annual rainfall
annual income
2
: occurring or happening every year or once a year : yearly
an annual reunion
an annual physical checkup
3
: completing the life cycle in one growing season or single year
annual plants
1
: an event that occurs yearly
2
: a publication appearing yearly
the high-school annual
3
: something that lasts one year or season
specifically
: a plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season
Examples of annual in a Sentence
Adjective
The annual meeting is in July.
The company's earnings for last year are published in the annual report.
We had more snow this year than the average annual amount.
The company charges an annual fee of $45.
Noun
We planted some annuals in front of the house.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jonathan Landay, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
The Encinitas Coastal Rotary Club’s annual Purse Bingo fundraiser once again proved to be an overwhelming success, raising over $25,000 to support local women’s charities.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
Empty space can be filled with annuals or perennials until hollies grow into their home.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for annual 
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Adjective
Pressure on Europe Ahead of the Munich conference, an annual gathering of major political leaders, military officers and diplomats in the German city, Vance also reiterated Trump's demand that Europe do more to safeguard its own defense.
—Jonathan Landay, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
The Encinitas Coastal Rotary Club’s annual Purse Bingo fundraiser once again proved to be an overwhelming success, raising over $25,000 to support local women’s charities.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
In a garden with roses of many colors, a repetition of color such as whites, purples and blues when selecting perennials and annuals helps to create cohesion in the garden.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
Empty space can be filled with annuals or perennials until hollies grow into their home.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for annual
Articles Related to annual
Dictionary Entries Near annual
Cite this Entry
“Annual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annual. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
annual
1 of 2 adjective
an·nu·al
ˈan-y(ə-w)əl
1
: covering the period of a year
annual rainfall
2
: occurring or performed once a year : yearly
an annual meeting
3
: completing the life cycle in one growing season or single year
annual plants
annually
adverb
-ē
annual
2 of 2 noun1
: a publication appearing yearly
2
: an annual plant
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English annual "for a year," from early French annuel and Latin annualis (both, same meaning), derived from Latin annus "year"
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