bi|en|ni|al

bi|en|ni|al «by EHN ee uhl», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. (of plants) requiring two years to reach full development; germinating in one year or growing season and flowering, producing fruit, and dying in the next year or growing season.

2. occurring every two years.

–n.

1. a plant that lives two years or seasons. Carrots and onions are biennials.

2. an event that occurs every two years.

╂[< Latin biennium biennium + English -al¹]

–bi|en´ni|al|ly, adverb.

Usage See biannual for usage note.