different between biennial vs triennial

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin bienni(um) (“two-year period”) [from bis, bi- (“twice”) + annus (“year”)] + -al (suffix forming adjectives); surface analysis bi- +? -ennial.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ba???n??l/
• Rhymes: -?n??l

Adjective

biennial (not comparable)

1. Happening every two years.
2. Lasting for two years.

Synonyms

• biennary (uncommon); biannual (proscribed)

Related terms

• biennium
• biennially
• biannual, semiannual

Translations

Noun

biennial (plural biennials)

1. A plant that requires two years to complete its life-cycle, germinating and growing in its first year, then producing its flowers and fruit in its second year, after which it usually dies
2. An event that happens every two years

Translations

See also

• annual
• perennial

English

Etymology

From Latin triennium (“three-year period”), from tres (“three”) + annus (“year”); surface analysis tri- +? -ennial.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /t?a???n??l/
• Rhymes: -?n??l

Adjective

triennial (not comparable)

1. Happening every three years.
   • 1774-1781, Thomas Warton, History of English Poetry

     They were constantly summoned to a triennial festival : and the most approved songs delivered at this assembly were ordered to be preserved in the custody of the king's historian or antiquary

2. Lasting for three years.
   • September 13 1621, James Howell. letter to Sir William Saint John

     Triennial Subsidies

Synonyms

• (rare): trieterical

Related terms

• (noun): triennium

Translations

See also

• triennially

Noun

triennial (plural triennials)

1. A third anniversary.
2. A plant that requires three years to complete its life-cycle.

Translations

Related terms

• biennial
• triennium
• triannual