biannual vs bi-annual

Both "biannual" and "bi-annual" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Biannual" means occurring twice a year, while "bi-annual" means occurring every two years. The choice between the two depends on the intended frequency of the event.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 1486 views

biannual

This is a correct term commonly used in English to describe events that occur twice a year.

Use "biannual" to describe events that happen twice a year, such as biannual meetings or biannual reports.

Examples:

The company holds biannual meetings to discuss its progress.
The magazine publishes a biannual issue in spring and fall.

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Corporate minutes for the biannual partners' meeting.
All will fight on the fields of never in the biannual Battle of Kingdoms.
I regret that our biannual gathering has turned into a vigil.
This information is provided in a biannual newsletter and at meetings held in Frankfurt twice a year.
No, biannual means every two years.
The Commission shall present a biannual report on the application and implementation of the Agreement to the European Parliament.
My first biannual auction starts tomorrow...
Soon the Commission is going to publish the biannual report on the implementation of social rules.
Today's report concerns Sweden and the Commission's biannual convergence report.
In September, Parliament hosted the biannual meeting of the standing committee for the first time.
In carrying out such adaptations to technical progress the biannual working rhythm at UN level should be considered.
In carrying out such adaptations to technical and scientific progress the biannual working rhythm at UN level should be considered.
The submission of the updated stability programmes on a biannual basis will allow a more medium-term planning of national budgets and budgetary reforms.
The ECB continued to issue a biannual newsletter to keep employee representatives informed of the latest developments with regard to the above topics.
We also have an intense biannual human rights dialogue and then of course sectoral dialogues on different issues, trade obviously being one of particular importance.
In carrying out such adaptations to technical and scientific progress the biannual working rhythm at UN level should be taken into account.
I'm giving the biannual briefing and you're snoring.
In addition, the Executive Board of the ECB has set up a biannual progress review for the indicators for which the ECB has primary or shared responsibility.
This should integrate with civil society initiatives, just as NGOs should be able to contribute actively to the UN biannual meeting of states in July.
The African Union (AU) began its biannual summit on 29 January 2007 by adopting a fitting decision, and one which prevented Omar Hassan al Bashir achieving his aim of taking over the rotating chairmanship of that organisation.

Alternatives:

semiannual
twice-yearly
half-yearly
biyearly
every six months

bi-annual

This is a correct term used to describe events that occur every two years.

Use "bi-annual" to describe events that happen every two years, such as bi-annual conferences or bi-annual celebrations.