biennial Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (botany) a plant having a life cycle that normally takes two seasons from germination to death to complete; flowering biennials usually bloom and fruit in the second season
  2. adjective having a life cycle lasting two seasons
    two-year.
    • a biennial life cycle
    • parsnips and carrots are biennial plants often grown as annuals
  3. adjective satellite occurring every second year
    biyearly.
    • they met at biennial conventions

WordNet

Bi*en"ni*al adjective
Etymology
L. biennalis and biennis, fr. biennium a space of two years; bis twice + annus year. Cf. Annual.
Definitions
  1. Happening, or taking place, once in two years; as, a biennial election.
  2. (Bot.) Continuing for two years, and then perishing, as plants which form roots and leaves the first year, and produce fruit the second.
Bi*en"ni*al noun
Definitions
  1. Something which takes place or appears once in two years; esp. a biennial examination.
  2. (Bot.) A plant which exists or lasts for two years.

Webster 1913