annual Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (botany) a plant that completes its entire life cycle within the space of a year
  2. noun a reference book that is published regularly once every year
    yearly; yearbook.
  3. adjective completing its life cycle within a year
    one-year.
    • a border of annual flowering plants
  4. adjective satellite occurring or payable every year
    yearly.
    • an annual trip to Paris
    • yearly medical examinations
    • annual (or yearly) income

WordNet

An"nu*al adjective
Etymology
OE. annuel, F. annuel, fr. L. annualis, fr. annus year. Cf. Annals.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to a year; returning every year; coming or happening once in the year; yearly.
    The annual overflowing of the river [Nile]. Ray.
  2. Performed or accomplished in a year; reckoned by the year; as, the annual motion of the earth.
    A thousand pound a year, annual support. Shak.
  3. Lasting or continuing only one year or one growing season; requiring to be renewed every year; as, an annual plant; annual tickets. Bacon.
An"nu*al noun
Definitions
  1. A thing happening or returning yearly; esp. a literary work published once a year.
  2. Anything, especially a plant, that lasts but one year or season; an annual plant.
    Oaths . . . in some sense almost annuals; . . . and I myself can remember about forty different sets. Swift.
  3. (R. C. Ch.) A Mass for a deceased person or for some special object, said daily for a year or on the anniversary day.

Webster 1913