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

Create a little annex of contemplative delight in the living room — somewhere to land with a drink and a snack and not feel adrift.

Read more on Salon

This broke down by degrees, critically in the Sicilian Expedition of 415-413 B.C., when Athens tried and failed to annex Syracuse, a Spartan ally.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

An annex detailed the new exclusions from this 40-percent duty, and they are to be retroactively applied to November 13.

Read more on Barron's

The Nazis, who annexed Austria in 1938, looted the Lederer art collection but left family portraits behind, says the National Gallery of Canada.

Read more on BBC

He has declared that his efforts are designed to de facto annex the West Ban and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• addendum 
• appendix