Biennial

From Free net encyclopedia

Template:Wiktionary Biennial is a term referring to a period of two years, much in the same way centennial refers to 100 years. If an event occurs every two years, it can be said to occur biennially. This is commonly used in reference to legislative agendas in U.S. states (often as biennium), as many representatives are elected to two-year terms.

The word is used to clarify the words semiannual and biannual. Both these words have become ambiguous, as they can mean occurring twice a year or occurring once every two years. In this case, prefixing bi- (meaning "two") to annual can either indicate twice annually, or a period twice the length of "annual". The inverse is true with semi- (meaning "half").

Today, major dictionaries define both semiannual and biannual as something that occurs twice a year. In contrast, bimonthly is given a double meaning: either twice a month, or once every two months.

See also

• Biennial plant
• Biennale

External links

• Merriam-Webster definitions:
  • Semiannual
  • Biannual
  • Bimonthly