English Reference

Word

bicentennial

Phoneticsbi·cen·ten·ni·al

US/ˌbaɪsɛnˈtɛniəɫ/

UK/baɪsɪntˈɛnɪəl/

Definition

n. the 200th anniversary of an important event or the founding of a country. It is a special time for people to celebrate and remember the past.

n. the 200th anniversary of a significant event or the establishment of a nation. Often used to describe the period of celebration surrounding such a milestone.

Examples

“The city held a big parade to celebrate its bicentennial.”

“The bicentennial of the nation's independence was marked by a series of public lectures and historical exhibitions across the capital.”

“While the bicentennial provided a moment for national reflection, it also sparked intense debates among historians regarding the accuracy of the official narrative presented in the commemorative ceremonies.”

Examples

simple

“The city held a big parade to celebrate its bicentennial.”

contextual

“The bicentennial of the nation's independence was marked by a series of public lectures and historical exhibitions across the capital.”

complex

“While the bicentennial provided a moment for national reflection, it also sparked intense debates among historians regarding the accuracy of the official narrative presented in the commemorative ceremonies.”

Real-World Examples

“Local celebrations of Capital Day gained traction in 1976, with the bicentennial celebration of American independence.”
Smithsonian Magazine · 24 Sept 2026
“On the bicentennial of “The Last Man,” it still carries ethical relevance for navigating present and future worlds of environmental and political disaster.”
The Conversation · 23 Sept 2026

Etymology

From bi- + centennial.

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

Related words

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference