bicentennial

American  

[bahy-sen-ten-ee-uhl] / ˌbaɪ sɛnˈtɛn i əl /

adjective

1. pertaining to or in honor of a 200th anniversary.

   bicentennial celebration; a bicentennial exposition.

2. consisting of or lasting 200 years.

   a bicentennial period.

3. occurring every 200 years.

   the bicentennial return of a comet.

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noun

1. a 200th anniversary.

   The United States had its bicentennial in 1976.

2. a celebration of such an anniversary.

Commonly Confused

See bi- ¹.

Other Word Forms

• bicentennially adverb

Etymology

Origin of bicentennial

First recorded in 1880–85; bi- ¹ + centennial

Example Sentences

Fifty years ago, at America’s bicentennial, Martin Diamond, a political scientist, celebrated our founding as “the revolution of sober expectations.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

"But the country moved forward, celebrated its bicentennial, and moved beyond its violent divides. It will do so again."

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2025

But its history, however contested, is a powerful reminder that this flag that’s now as ubiquitous in June as the U.S. flag during the bicentennial started out as a thoroughly DIY art experiment.

From Slate • Jun. 19, 2024

In March, In Our DNA SC research coordinators collected more than 30 DNA samples at a bicentennial event in Orangeburg, South Carolina, where more than 60% of residents identify as Black.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2024

We found lots of coins—mostly new money but also some buffalo nickels and a silver dollar from the bicentennial.

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt