bicentennial: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Historical, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “bicentennial” mean?
Relating to a 200th anniversary or its celebration.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to a 200th anniversary or its celebration.
A period or event marking 200 years since a significant occurrence, often used to reflect on historical legacy and progress.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The US has a prominent national bicentennial (1976). The UK's last major bicentennial was for the abolition of the slave trade (2007).
Connotations
In the US, strongly connotes the 1976 celebrations of independence. In the UK, more likely associated with institutional anniversaries (e.g., a university).
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the cultural prominence of 1976.
Grammar
How to Use “bicentennial” in a Sentence
the bicentennial of [EVENT/NATION]celebrate/commemorate/mark its bicentennial[EVENT]'s bicentennialVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bicentennial” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The bicentenary exhibition will tour the country.
- They issued bicentennial stamps.
American English
- The bicentennial parade was a huge spectacle.
- Bicentennial celebrations lasted all year.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used for a company's 200th anniversary in marketing.
Academic
Common in historical texts and discussions of commemorative practices.
Everyday
Used when discussing major national or local anniversary events.
Technical
Used in historiography and heritage studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bicentennial”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bicentennial”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bicentennial”
- Misspelling as 'bicentenial' (missing one 'n').
- Using it for any 200-year period, not specifically an anniversary.
- Confusing with 'bicentenary' (same meaning, slightly more common in BrE).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are synonyms. 'Bicentennial' is more common in American English, while 'bicentenary' is often preferred in British English, though both are understood everywhere.
No, it is not standard to use 'bicentennial' as a verb. You 'celebrate,' 'mark,' or 'commemorate' a bicentennial.
A tricentennial or tercentennial (300th anniversary), then a quadricentennial or quatercentenary (400th).
No, this is redundant. 'Bicentennial' already means '200th anniversary,' so '200-year' is unnecessary.
Relating to a 200th anniversary or its celebration.
Bicentennial is usually formal, historical, academic, journalistic in register.
Bicentennial: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪ.senˈten.i.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪ.senˈten.i.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'BI-cycle' (two wheels) + 'CENTennial' (100 years) = TWO hundred years.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A MEASURABLE PATH/JOURNEY (reaching a 200-year milestone).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'bicentennial'?