biennial
Definitions
Happening once every two years.
两年一次的。
(Of a plant) living for two years, flowering in the second.
（植物）两年生的，第二年开花。
A plant with a two-year life cycle; an event held every two years.
两年生植物；两年一届的活动。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedbi- (two) + enn (the -enn- form of annus, year) + -ial = 'every two years.' Same pattern as centennial: a number prefix sits on top of the year-root. A biennial conference meets every two years; a biennial plant takes two years to complete its life.
Root ann still carries 9 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.biennial event两年一次的活动
Example Sentences
- 1.
The art biennial attracts visitors from around the world.
- 2.
Foxgloves are biennials, flowering in their second year.
- 3.
The committee holds biennial elections.
Easily Confused
biennial vs biannual — a classic trap. biennial = every two years. biannual = twice a year (semiannual). They're opposites in frequency, so writers often avoid biannual and say 'twice a year' to be clear. Every two years → biennial.