biennial

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin biennium (“two-year period”), from bis (“two”) + annus (“year”); equivalent to bi- +‎ -ennial.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /baɪˈɛnɪəl/

• Audio (US)

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• Rhymes: -ɛnɪəl

Adjective

biennial (not comparable)

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

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.