annal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, literary, academic
Quick answer
What does “annal” mean?
A record of events arranged in yearly sequence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A record of events arranged in yearly sequence; one of a series of yearly historical records.
A historical record of events, especially one kept year by year; often used in plural form 'annals' to refer to historical records collectively or metaphorically to mean the recorded history of a field or activity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties strongly prefer the plural form.
Connotations
Equally formal and historical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, primarily found in academic, historical, and literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “annal” in a Sentence
the annals of [institution/field]recorded in the annalsenter the annals asVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear metaphorically: 'This merger will enter the annals of corporate history.'
Academic
Common in history, literature, and classical studies: 'The monastic annals provide crucial evidence.'
Everyday
Very rare. Mostly in fixed expressions: 'It'll go down in the annals.'
Technical
Used in historiography and archival science to describe specific types of historical records.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “annal”
- Using singular 'annal' in everyday speech (use plural).
- Confusing with 'annual' (yearly) though related etymologically.
- Misspelling as 'anal'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very rarely, mostly in technical historical contexts. The plural 'annals' is standard.
Both are historical records. 'Annals' strictly organize events by year. 'Chronicles' may have a narrative structure and aren't always strictly annual.
Yes, metaphorically. e.g., 'the annals of medicine' refers to the recorded history of the field, not necessarily ancient texts.
No, it's a formal, literary word most often encountered in historical, academic, or figurative contexts.
A record of events arranged in yearly sequence.
Annal is usually formal, literary, academic in register.
Annal: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæn.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæn.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go down in the annals of history”
- “enter the annals”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ANNAL sounds like 'annual' – think of ANNUAL records kept year by year.
Conceptual Metaphor
HISTORY IS A WRITTEN RECORD; TIME IS A CHRONOLOGICAL SEQUENCE
Practice
Quiz
Which form is most commonly used?