English Reference
verb · noun

annex

v. · n.
US /ˈæˌnɛks/ an·nex UK spelling annexe, annexed

  1. 01 C1 Advanced Formal Law

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

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

    Simple

    The larger country decided to annex the small island after the war ended.

    In context

    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. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

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

    n.a subsidiary building or an extension added to a main structure to provide additional space.

    Simple

    The school built a new annex to provide more space for the science labs.

    In context

    The museum's modern annex houses the contemporary collection, providing a stark architectural contrast to the original nineteenth-century wing.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced FormalAcademic Law

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

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

    Simple

    You can find the technical details in the annex at the back of the report.

    In context

    The specific environmental regulations are detailed in the third annex of the international trade agreement.

It annexed East Jerusalem in 1980, in a move not recognised by the vast majority of the international community.

BBC News· 20 Aug 2026

Their decision is a response to US tariffs and the president's comments about annexing their country.

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

Etymology 1

Borrowed from French annexe, from Latin annexus. More at Etymology 2.

Etymology 2

From Middle English annexen, anexen, from Old French annexer (“to join”), from Medieval Latin annexāre, infinitive of annexō, frequentative of Latin annectō (“bind to”), from ad (“to”) + nectō (“tie, bind”). Compare the rare annect. Doublet of adnex.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin annexus
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated