What does tricentenary mean?
A tricentenary is the 300th anniversary of a person, institution, event, or other notable entity. The word can also function as an adjective: “tricentenary celebrations” refers to festivities or commemorations marking that milestone. It is a formal, specialized term, used especially in historical, academic, civic, and institutional contexts rather than in everyday speech. Although “tricentenary” literally evokes three centuries, in standard usage it normally names the anniversary or its observance rather than any period lasting 300 years. This distinguishes it from “centenary,” which marks 100 years, and “bicentenary,” which marks 200 years. The vocabulary is especially useful in histories, commemorative catalogues, event announcements, and discussions of institutional longevity. It also appears in expressions such as “tricentenary celebrations,” where it signals that a programme or ceremony is devoted to marking a 300-year milestone. Because the word is uncommon outside commemorative writing, its appearance immediately identifies the occasion as a major anniversary and lends it a ceremonial, archival tone.
The 300th anniversary of a person, institution, event, or other notable entity; also a commemoration of that anniversary.
"The foundation commemorated its tricentenary with a formal dinner."
Frequently used in the singular in phrases such as “mark the tricentenary.”
Relating to a 300th anniversary or to the commemoration of that anniversary.
"The town unveiled its tricentenary exhibition at the old guildhall."
Common in ceremonial and commemorative expressions, especially “tricentenary celebrations.”
The plural is used when referring to multiple 300th anniversaries or commemorations.
"The archive contains articles about several institutional tricentenaries."
Three centuries, one word: a tricentenary marks 300 years.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tricentenary come from?
The word was formed in English from Latin trecentenarius, meaning “of or relating to three hundred,” ultimately from trecentum, “three hundred.” Trecentum combines tres, “three,” with centum, “hundred,” the same ultimate source of English cent, centenary, and centennial. The English form dates from the early 18th century, and trecentenary remains an alternative spelling.
Related word forms
How tricentenary is actually used
A formal and relatively uncommon term used especially in historical, academic, civic, and institutional contexts. It normally denotes a 300th anniversary or its observance rather than any period of 300 years.
Easily confused with tricentenary
A tricentenary marks 300 years, whereas a centenary marks 100 years.