biennial

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "biennial" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means "occurring or taking place every two years". For example, "The Biennial festival is eagerly anticipated by local residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The biennial Red Nose Day UK fundraiser encourages people to "do something funny for money" in their school, community or workplace.

The Guardian

Great sporting moments - A national holiday was declared when Oman won the 2009 Gulf Cup of Nations, West Asia's biennial bash, after two successive defeats in the final.

The Guardian - Sport

Not to be confused with Nye Bevan Beyoncé beyond the pale not pail; this pale is derived from the Latin palus, a stake as used to support a fence (cf palisade); hence the figurative meaning of beyond the pale as being outside the boundary, unacceptable biannual or biennial?

The Guardian

The fate of a proposed 50m sq miles sanctuary for migratory whales was hanging in the balance on Monday night after objections from enough delegates on the conference floor of the International Whaling Commission (IWC)'s biennial conference to block its creation.

The Guardian

Other tour announcements followed, such as the Blue Note jazz tour of the Caribbean island; Insight has announced an art tour for the biennial, while Authentic Cuba Travel is advertising an art tour for December 2015.

The Guardian - Arts

And also this year, the second biennial Edwin Morgan Poetry award worth roughly £20,000 will be made to a Scottish poet under the age of 30, just because Edwin Morgan well remembered the problems young poets can have in getting their first collection published.

The Guardian - Books

Poitras's documentary about Edward Snowden, Citizenfour, recently won an Academy award; her relationship with the Whitney started when her work featured in their 2012 biennial.

The Guardian - Arts

In 2011, when he was 15 years old, he traveled to Bangkok from his native Melbourne to attend the biennial World Rubik's Cube Championship for the first time.

The Guardian - Tech

In July, the biennial International Festival will take over the city, featuring Alice in Wonderland the Musical by Damon Albarn, as well as a contemporary ballet which brings together DJ Jamie XX, Mancunian choreographer Wayne McGregor and the artist, Olafur Eliasson.

The Guardian

February also sees the return of Bristol's biennial In Between Time festival, which produces dramatic urban interventions around the city, including a 10-day installation during which Peros' Bridge in Bristol Harbourside will "disappear" behind a veil of fog – a creative celebration of the city's new Green Capital status.

The Guardian - Travel

Massimiliano Gioni, a curator based in Milan and New York, who is overseeing the Gwangju biennial, which opens in South Korea in September, recalls that the avant-garde was "built on a transnational community of kindred spirits," adding, "sometimes I long for that".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about events, reports, or cycles that occur every two years, use "biennial" to keep your writing concise and professional.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "biannual" (twice a year) with "biennial" (every two years). Always double-check your intended meaning to avoid miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The word "biennial" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something occurs or lasts for two years. According to Ludwig AI, this usage aligns with standard grammar rules. Ludwig examples showcase its use in contexts ranging from events to reports and plant life cycles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "biennial" is a grammatically correct adjective meaning 'occurring every two years', as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in news, business, and science contexts to describe events, reports, or cycles. While generally neutral to formal in register, it's essential to distinguish it from 'biannual' to prevent confusion. Remember, "biannual" means twice a year, while "biennial" specifies a two-year interval. Use "biennial" to maintain conciseness when discussing such occurrences, but consider alternative phrasing like "every two years" for clarity if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every two years

This alternative directly states the frequency of occurrence, replacing the single word "biennial" with a descriptive phrase.

once every two years

This phrase is a more explicit version of "every two years", leaving no room for ambiguity.

occurring every other year

This option clarifies the two-year interval by emphasizing the alternating nature of the event or activity.

every second year

This highlights the sequential nature of the two-year cycle.

bi yearly

A more casual synonym for "biennial" that clearly indicates the same time frame.

two-yearly

Another single-word alternative, though less common than "biennial".

lasting two years

This focuses on the duration of something, relevant when "biennial" describes a program or study.

taking place every two years

This option is more descriptive, emphasizing the act of something happening.

held every two years

This is specific to events and meetings that occur on a "biennial" basis.

two-year interval

This alternative emphasizes the period between occurrences rather than the event itself.

FAQs

How is "biennial" used in a sentence?

You can use "biennial" to describe events, publications, or processes that occur every two years. For instance, "The company publishes a "biennial report" on its environmental impact."

What's the difference between "biannual" and "biennial"?

"Biannual" means twice a year, while "biennial" means every two years. They are often confused, but the distinction is important for clarity. Using "every two years" can often prevent any ambiguity.

Can "biennial" describe plants?

Yes, in botany, "biennial" refers to a plant that takes two years to complete its life cycle, growing in the first year and flowering in the second.

What are some synonyms for "biennial"?

Synonyms include "every two years", "occurring every other year", or "biyearly". The best choice depends on the specific context.