Biannual vs. Biennial — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 14, 2023
Biannual means twice a year, while Biennial means every two years. Both terms describe frequency, but on different timelines.
Difference Between Biannual and Biennial
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Biannual is an adjective describing events or occurrences that happen twice within a calendar year. In contrast, Biennial denotes events or occurrences that take place every two years.
A company might release a Biannual report twice in a year – once in the middle and once at the end. However, a Biennial event, such as an exhibition or festival, would only occur once every two years.
The prefix "bi-" in both words signifies "two," but the suffixes differ, indicating frequency: "annual" means yearly and "ennial" refers to a span of two years.
A Biannual meeting implies attendees convene two times a year, while a Biennial conference suggests participants meet once in a span of two years.
Comparison Chart
Frequency
Twice a year
Every two years
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Related to
Year
Two-year period
Suffix Meaning
"annual" refers to "yearly"
"ennial" refers to "every two years"
Example Events
Financial reports, sales
Art exhibitions, certain festivals
Interval
Every 6 months
24 months
Compare with Definitions
Biannual
Biannual means something happening semi-annually.
Our town has a Biannual carnival.
Biennial
Biennial events happen every two years.
The Biennial art exhibition attracts international artists.
Biannual
Biannual refers to occurrences twice a year.
The company holds a Biannual sales event.
Biennial
Biennial signifies a two-year frequency.
The Biennial conference is a major event in our industry.
Biannual
Biannual is used for events split across a year.
The Biannual performance reviews help track employee progress.
Biennial
Biennial describes events spanning two years apart.
Our town's Biennial music festival is a grand affair.
Biannual
Biannual denotes two occurrences in a calendar year.
The journal publishes a Biannual special issue.
Biennial
Biennial means activities or events in alternate years.
The Biennial tree planting drive has helped reforest the region.
Biannual
Occurring twice each year; semiannual.
Biennial
Taking place every other year
The first of a series of biennial exhibitions
Biannual
Occurring every two years; biennial.
Biennial
(of a plant) taking two years to grow from seed to fruition and die.
Biannual
Occurring twice a year; semiannual.
Biennial
A biennial plant.
Biannual
(proscribed) Occurring once every two years; biennial.
Biennial
An event celebrated or taking place every two years
The top antiques fairs are the Milan and Florence biennials
Biannual
Something occurring twice each year.
Biennial
Lasting or living for two years.
Biannual
Occurring twice a year; half-yearly; semiannual.
Biennial
Happening every second year.
Biannual
Occurring or payable twice each year
Biennial
(Botany) Having a life cycle that normally takes two growing seasons to complete.
Biannual
Biannual events occur every six months.
The Biannual health checkup is in June and December.
Biennial
An event that occurs every two years.
Biennial
A plant that normally requires two seasons to complete its life cycle, growing usually as a rosette in the first season and producing flowers and fruits and then dying in the second season.
Biennial
A perennial plant, such as the English daisy, cultivated as a biennial.
Biennial
Happening every two years.
Biennial
Lasting for two years.
Biennial
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.
Biennial
An event that happens every two years.
Biennial
Happening, or taking place, once in two years; as, a biennial election.
Biennial
Continuing for two years, and then perishing, as plants which form roots and leaves the first year, and produce fruit the second.
Biennial
Something which takes place or appears once in two years; esp. a biennial examination.
Biennial
A plant which exists or lasts for two years.
Biennial
A plant having a life cycle that normally takes two seasons from germination to death to complete; flowering biennials usually bloom and fruit in the second season
Biennial
Occurring every second year;
They met at biennial conventions
Biennial
Having a life cycle lasting two seasons;
A biennial life cycle
Parsnips and carrots are biennial plants often grown as annuals
The common buttercup is a popular perennial plant
Biennial
Biennial occurrences have a 24-month gap.
The Biennial wildlife census provides crucial conservation data.
Common Curiosities
Can Biannual mean every two years?
No, Biannual means twice a year; Biennial means every two years.
What's the frequency of Biennial occurrences?
Biennial occurrences happen every two years.
How often do Biannual events occur?
Biannual events occur twice a year.
Is a Biennial plant's life cycle two years?
Yes, a Biennial plant typically has a life cycle that spans two years.
Are quarterly and Biannual the same?
No, quarterly means four times a year, while Biannual means twice a year.
Can a magazine be both Biannual and Biennial?
A magazine can have Biannual editions (twice a year) and a special Biennial edition (every two years).
Can a company have both Biannual and Biennial reports?
Yes, a company can release reports twice a year (Biannual) and also have a special report every two years (Biennial).
Is there a term for events that happen twice a month?
Yes, events that occur twice a month are called "biweekly."
Why is there confusion between Biannual and Biennial?
Both words have the prefix "bi-" meaning "two," but their suffixes differentiate yearly versus a two-year span.
How can I remember the difference between Biannual and Biennial?
Think of "annual" in Biannual as "yearly," and "ennial" in Biennial as "every two years."
Are Biennial events longer than Biannual events?
Not necessarily; the duration of an event isn't defined by its frequency. Biannual and Biennial just determine how often they occur.
How does a Biennial budget work?
A Biennial budget is planned and allocated for a two-year period.
If a sale is Biannual, when can I expect it?
A Biannual sale typically occurs twice a year, so you can expect it every six months.
If a plant is Biennial, when does it flower?
Biennial plants typically grow vegetatively in their first year and flower in their second year.
Are there any other terms similar to Biannual?
Yes, "semi-annual" is also used to describe something that happens twice a year.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
