Biennial

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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.

This word helps clarify the possible confusion between the words semiannual and biannual. These words have become ambiguous, as biannual can mean occurring twice a year or occurring once every two years, and semiannual and biannual share the twice a year definition. In this case, prefixing bi- (meaning "two") to annual can either indicate twice annually, or a period twice the length of "annual".

[edit] See also

• Biennial plant
• Biennale
• Anniversary (for all other Latin-derived numerical names)

[edit] External links

• Dictionary.com definitions:
  • Semiannual
  • Biannual
  • Biennial
• Merriam-Webster definitions:
  • Semiannual
  • Biannual
  • Bimonthly