You searched for: “biannual”
biannual
1. Happening twice each year; semiannual.
2. Occurring every two years; biennial.

A biannual event occurs twice a year; a biennial event takes place once in two years.

To avoid confusion, it is better to use the prefix semi- to mean "twice each" (semiannual; semimonthly; semiweekly) or the phrase "twice a" or "twice each "(twice a month; twice a week; twice each year ["biannual"]), and for the other sense to use the phrase "every two" (every two months; every two weeks; every two years [or in this case, "biennial"]).

This entry is located in the following units: ann-, anni-, annu- (page 2) bi-, bin-, bino-, bis- (page 1)
biannual, biennial, perennial
biannual (bigh AN yoo uhl) (adjective)
Occurring twice a year; semiannual: The family got together on a biannual basis to celebrate birthdays.
biennial (bigh EN ee uhl) (adjective)
Occurring every two years: Electing senators occurs on a biennial basis.
perennial (puh REN ee uhl) (adjective)
Persistent over a period of several years; continuing without interruption: The flowers in the border around the garden were of a perennial nature, ensuring bright colors year after year.

Edna's country cousins come to visit on a biannual basis; however, her cousins who live across the ocean come here on biennial trips. It is always great fun to garden together; Jane and Carmen like to plant perennial flowers which will be in bloom whenever their cousins come to visit them.

This entry is located in the following units: bi-, bin-, bino-, bis- (page 1) Confusing Words Clarified: Group B; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. (page 4) -enni-, -ennial, -ennium (page 1)