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
Jim Reineking, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Wang, who made the remarks while announcing last year’s annual results, is particularly bullish on the company’s overseas sales, as its collectible toys are already known to sell out quickly in Southeast Asia.
—Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2025
Campbell also recommended some perennials and annuals to plant to attract hummingbirds.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for annual
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Commissioner Roger Goodell promises three Christmas Day games every year, matching the league's annual Thanksgiving Day slate.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Wang, who made the remarks while announcing last year’s annual results, is particularly bullish on the company’s overseas sales, as its collectible toys are already known to sell out quickly in Southeast Asia.
—Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
Full sun Soil Type: Moist and well-draining Soil pH: Neutral
Learn More
02 of 10
Parsley
Technically a biennial herb, parsley is usually grown as an annual.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2025
Campbell also recommended some perennials and annuals to plant to attract hummingbirds.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for annual
Cite this Entry
“Annual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annual. Accessed 2 May. 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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