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semicentennial

American  
[sem-ee-sen-ten-ee-uhl, sem-ahy-] / ˌsɛm i sɛnˈtɛn i əl, ˌsɛm aɪ- /

adjective

  1. of or relating to a fiftieth anniversary.


noun

  1. a fiftieth anniversary.

  2. the celebration of this anniversary.

semicentennial British  
/ ˌsɛmɪsɛnˈtɛnɪəl /

adjective

  1. (prenominal) of or relating to the 50th anniversary of some event

  2. occurring once every 50 years

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a 50th anniversary

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of semicentennial

First recorded in 1855–60; semi- + centennial

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

On the semicentennial Fourth of July, having reconciled, both men die.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 2, 2026

As the program celebrates its semicentennial, we asked readers to share their favorite P-Patch memories.

From Seattle Times Apr. 18, 2023

To mark the 50th anniversary of saving Pike Place Market, the Market’s traditional fall festival will transform into a semicentennial celebration of the landmark 1971 initiative.

From Seattle Times Oct. 19, 2021

This season, Wolf Trap in Vienna, Va., returns to the scene to celebrate the semicentennial of the Filene Center.

From Washington Post Jun. 8, 2021

In the twentieth century, the Pioneer was displayed at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904, and at the Wheeling, West Virginia, semicentennial in 1913.

From The 'Pioneer': Light Passenger Locomotive of 1851 United States Bulletin 240, Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology, paper 42, 1964 by John H. White

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