annexation

[an-ik-sey-shuhn, -ek-]

noun

1. the act or an instance of annexing, or adding to something larger, especially the incorporation of new territory into the domain of a city, country, or state.

2. the fact of being annexed.

   Annexation of the two parts of the Bronx in 1874 and 1895 gave New York City the last of its five boroughs.

3. something annexed.

   Victory in battle resulted in territorial annexations that remained difficult to govern.

annexation

/ -ɛk-, ˌænɪkˈseɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of annexing, esp territory, or the condition of being annexed

2. something annexed

Other Word Forms

• annexational adjective
• antiannexation adjective
• deannexation noun
• nonannexation noun
• proannexation adjective
• reannexation noun
• annexationist noun
• annexationism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of annexation¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Medieval Latin annexātiōn-, stem of annexātiō, equivalent to annexāt(us) “joined to” (past participle of annexāre “to join to”; annex, -ate ¹ ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

“The creeping annexation in the West Bank must stop,” Ross added.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

An overwhelming majority of Greenlanders oppose the idea of annexation by the U.S., according to a January poll.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At the time of annexation, France was a colonial power with territory stretching from Asia to North Africa to Latin America.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Their central issue is there be no annexation and that the people of Gaza not be forcibly displaced,” al-Rantawi said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Far-right Israelis see annexation as a way to stop this prospect.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• incorporation 
• takeover