annex

[uh-neks, an-eks, an-eks, -iks]

verb (used with object)

1. to attach, append, or add, especially to something larger or more important.

2. to incorporate (territory) into the domain of a city, country, or state.

   Germany annexed part of Czechoslovakia.

3. to take or appropriate, especially without permission.

4. to attach as an attribute, condition, or consequence.

noun

1. something annexed.

2. a subsidiary building or an addition to a building.

   The emergency room is in the annex of the main building.

3. something added to a document; appendix; supplement.

   an annex to a treaty.

annex

verb

1. to join or add, esp to something larger; attach

2. to add (territory) by conquest or occupation

3. to add or append as a condition, warranty, etc

4. to appropriate without permission

noun

1. a variant spelling (esp US) of annexe

Other Word Forms

• annexable adjective
• nonannexable adjective
• preannex verb (used with object)
• reannex verb (used with object)
• unannexable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of annex¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; (verb) Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French annexer, from Medieval Latin annexāre, derivative of Latin annexus “tied to,” past participle of annectere ( annectent ); (noun) from French annexe or noun use of verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of annex¹

C14: from Medieval Latin annexāre, from Latin annectere to attach to, from nectere to join

Example Sentences

He also made no reference to Crimea, which was invaded and annexed by Russia in 2014.

From BBC

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Sunday "there will be no Palestinian state" - while ultranationalists in his governing coalition went further, repeating calls for Israel to annex the West Bank outright.

From BBC

He also refused to rule out Israel annexing the occupied West Bank.

From BBC

It has been a tightly-controlled part of China since it was annexed in the 1950s, leading some online to ask how and why the project was approved in the first place.

From BBC

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper says she has warned Israel not to annex parts of the West Bank in retaliation for the UK's recognition of Palestinian statehood.

From BBC

Related Words

• addendum 
• appendix