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Ask the Editors Archive

The Question:

Is there a word that designates a fiftieth anniversary in the same way that sesquicentennial means a 150th?

The Answer:

Semicentennial generally denotes a 50th anniversary (or describes events or objects pertaining to it). A synonymous, though slightly less mellifluous, noun is quinquagenary.

Some other words along these lines are quinquennial (pertaining to a fifth anniversary, or a period of five years), quindecennial (15th aniversary), vigentennial (20th), and quasquicentennial (125th).

—The Editors

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