What does "sesquicentennial" mean?
A 150th anniversary.
Sesquicentennial
/ˌsɛskwɪsɛnˈtɛni.əl/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A 150th anniversary.
- Grammar: sesquicentennial is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: anniversary, annual holiday, bicentenary, bicentennial.
- Usage evidence: New York City has kicked off a year-long celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of Central Park, which was created from barren swampland in the heart of the city. It is considered the ultimate everyman's playground. The city will honor the park's sesquicentennial with a host of concerts, fireworks and special events.
How to use "sesquicentennial"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "sesquicentennial" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "sesquicentennial" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "sesquicentennial" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "sesquicentennial" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "sesquicentennial" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "anniversary" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A 150th anniversary.
"The city celebrated its sesquicentennial last year."
- 2 the 150th anniversary (or the celebration of it) wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Occurring every 150 years. not-comparable
- 2 Of, or relating to a sesquicentenary. not-comparable
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"New York City has kicked off a year-long celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of Central Park, which was created from barren swampland in the heart of the city. It is considered the ultimate everyman's playground. The city will honor the park's sesquicentennial with a host of concerts, fireworks and special events."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "sesquicentennial"?
Common synonyms include: anniversary, annual holiday, bicentenary, bicentennial, biennial, birthday.
How do you use "sesquicentennial" in a sentence?
New York City has kicked off a year-long celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of Central Park, which was created from barren swampland in the heart of the city. It is considered the ultimate everyman's playground. The city will honor the park's sesquicentennial with a host of concerts, fireworks and special events.
How do you pronounce "sesquicentennial"?
Pronounced /ˌsɛskwɪsɛnˈtɛni.əl/.
Etymology
From sesqui- (“one-and-a-half”) + centennial (“of 100 years”). By surface analysis, sesqui- + cent- + -ennial.