biennial

[ bahy-en-ee-uhl ]

adjective

1. happening every two years:

   biennial games.

2. lasting or enduring for two years:

   a biennial life cycle.

3. Botany. completing its normal term of life in two years, flowering and fruiting the second year, as beets or winter wheat.

noun

1. any event occurring once in two years.
2. Botany. a biennial plant.

biennial

/ baɪˈɛnɪəl /

adjective

1. occurring every two years
2. lasting two years Compare biannual

noun

1. a plant, such as the carrot, that completes its life cycle within two years, developing vegetative storage parts during the first year and flowering and fruiting in its second year Compare annual perennial
2. an event that takes place every two years

biennial

/ bī-ĕn′ē-əl /

Adjective

1. Completing a life cycle normally in two growing seasons.

Noun

1. A biennial plant. In the first year, biennials normally produce a short stem, a rosette of leaves, and a fleshy root that acts as food supply. In the second season, biennials blossom, produce seed, use up their food supply, and die. Carrots, parsnips, and sugar beets are examples of biennials.
2. Compare annual

Confusables Note

See bi- ¹.

Derived Forms

• biˈennially, adverb

Other Words From

• bi·en·ni·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of biennial¹

First recorded in 1615–25; bienni(um) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

He said the commission was “kicking the can down the road” with its proposed biennial assessment process.

From Los Angeles Times

The King, who didn't directly address slavery, was speaking at the opening of the biennial summit for the first time as the head of the 56-member group.

From BBC

She also said she intends to build on Philbin’s signature accomplishments, including the Made in L.A. biennial and Hammer Projects, with its deep commitment to emerging voices.

From Los Angeles Times

These are traits that have for so long been the preserve of Europe in these biennial jousts - both for the women in Solheim and the men in the Ryder Cup.

From BBC

Walker, who was Europe's captain in the first four editions of the biennial contest, is wary that continued unsporting partisan behaviour will spoil both the Solheim and Ryder Cup.

From BBC

Related Words

• flower
• grass
• herb
• seedling
• shrub
• tree
• vine
• weed