Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Quadrennial Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🏅
Add to dictionary

quadrennial

[kwɒdˈrɛn.i.əl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

event frequency

Quadrennial refers to something that occurs every four years. This term is commonly used in contexts such as elections, international competitions, and regular events that take place on a four-year cycle. The significance of quadrennial events often lies in their predictability and the way they bring people together or prompt change over time. Examples include the Olympic Games and United States presidential elections.

Synonyms

every four years, four-year.

Examples of usage

  • The Olympics are a quadrennial event.
  • The quadrennial budget review is mandatory.
  • She attended the quadrennial conference on environmental policy.
  • The quadrennial elections attract widespread attention.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

  • In the U.S., presidential elections are quadrennial, occurring every four years, influencing politics and policy.
  • The World Cup, held every four years, brings together countries from around the globe to compete in soccer.
  • In many cultures, quadrennial celebrations mark important anniversaries or festivals, creating communal bonds.

Science

  • Certain scientific studies or surveys may be quadrennial to track progress or changes over time, like environmental assessments.
  • Some species of plants and animals exhibit quadrennial life cycles, where they reproduce every four years.
  • In astronomy, quadrennial events can refer to celestial phenomena, such as specific alignments or occurrences that repeat every four years.

Art & Literature

  • The Venice Biennale is a renowned art exhibition that occurs every other year, but its importance has given rise to many quadrennial discussions in the art community.
  • Some authors plan their major book releases around quadrennial dates to increase visibility and capitalize on global awareness periods.
  • The Olympic Games have inspired countless artistic works, including paintings and literature, highlighting human achievement over a quadrennial timeline.

Economics

  • Quadrennial economic summits often focus on long-term strategies for growth and development across nations.
  • Governments may prepare quadrennial budgets reflecting the projected economic conditions and priorities for the upcoming four years.
  • The FIFA World Cup generates significant economic activity in host countries during its quadrennial events, affecting tourism and infrastructure.

Origin of 'quadrennial'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Latin 'quadri-' meaning 'four' and 'annus' meaning 'year'.
  • First recorded use of the word was in the 19th century as events began to occur regularly on a four-year cycle.
  • Related words include 'biennial' (every two years) and 'centennial' (every hundred years).

The word 'quadrennial' originates from the Latin word 'quadrennium', which is composed of 'quattuor' meaning 'four' and 'annus' meaning 'year'. This compound reflects the frequency of the events it describes occurring at four-year intervals. The concept has been used throughout history, particularly in relation to events that are cyclical in nature, such as the census in ancient Rome and the agricultural practices that followed seasonal patterns. Over time, 'quadrennial' has been adopted in various contexts, including politics, sports, and cultural or scientific gatherings, to denote their periodic nature. The adoption of the term into English is believed to have taken place around the mid-19th century, aligning with the growing organization of events in modern society.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,061 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.