Bicentenary: meaning, definitions and examples

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bicentenary

 

[ ˌbaɪˈsɛn.ə.ri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

event celebration

A bicentenary refers to the 200th anniversary of a significant event. This occasion is often celebrated with various festivities, such as public ceremonies, parades, and educational programs that reflect on the historical significance of the event being commemorated. In many cultures, a bicentenary is seen as a milestone deserving of reflection and appreciation, allowing communities to recognize their heritage. It could pertain to the founding of a city, the publication of a notable work, or pivotal historical events.

Synonyms

200th anniversary, bicentennial, double century

Examples of usage

  • The town held a grand parade for its bicentenary celebration.
  • Many nations will commemorate their independence bicentenary with special events.
  • The museum organized an exhibition in honor of the bicentenary of the famous author.

Translations

Translations of the word "bicentenary" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bicentenário

🇮🇳 द्विशताब्दी

🇩🇪 Bicentenario

🇮🇩 bicentennial

🇺🇦 двохсотліття

🇵🇱 bicentenario

🇯🇵 二百周年

🇫🇷 bicentenaire

🇪🇸 bicentenario

🇹🇷 iki yüzüncü yıl

🇰🇷 200주년

🇸🇦 الذكري المئويتين

🇨🇿 bicentennial

🇸🇰 bicentennial

🇨🇳 双百年

🇸🇮 bicentennial

🇮🇸 tvöhundrað ára

🇰🇿 екі жүз жылдық

🇬🇪 ორი ასეული

🇦🇿 iki yüz illik

🇲🇽 bicentenario

Etymology

The term 'bicentenary' is derived from the Latin prefix 'bi-', meaning two, and 'centenary', which comes from 'centennium' in Latin, referring to a hundred years. The combination of these components forms a word that encapsulates the concept of celebrating an event that occurs every two hundred years. Notably, the concept of marking the passage of time with anniversaries has been a practice observed across various cultures, with certain events being deemed more significant than others. The use of the term in English dates back to the early 19th century, correlating with numerous historical milestones that were celebrated around this two-hundred-year mark. As society has evolved, so has the expression of such observances, expanding to include both formal and informal celebrations, fostering a sense of community and historical awareness.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,517, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.