# annex

/ˈæˌnɛks/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/annex
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to take territory

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to take control of another country's land and make it part of your own.

For teachers: to incorporate a territory into the domain of a city, country, or state, often without the consent of the original owner.

- The larger country decided to annex the small island after the war ended.
- The empire sought to annex the border provinces to secure its access to the northern trade routes and mineral deposits.

Usage: The verb is transitive and usually describes actions taken by governments or military forces.

### 2. extra building

noun · CEFR B2

an extra building that is joined to or used with a main building.

For teachers: a subsidiary building or an extension added to a main structure to provide additional space.

- The school built a new annex to provide more space for the science labs.
- The museum's modern annex houses the contemporary collection, providing a stark architectural contrast to the original nineteenth-century wing.

### 3. document appendix

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

an extra part added to the end of a report, book, or contract.

For teachers: an addition or appendix to a written document, such as a treaty, contract, or legislative bill.

- You can find the technical details in the annex at the back of the report.
- The specific environmental regulations are detailed in the third annex of the international trade agreement.

## Examples

- The school built a new annex for the science labs.
- The hotel guests were moved to the quiet annex across the garden while the main lobby was being renovated.
- The legal team spent the afternoon reviewing the technical specifications contained in the third annex of the trade agreement to ensure compliance with international standards.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.