quadrennial

/kwɑˈdrɛniəl/

The U.S. presidential election is a quadrennial event, something that happens every four years. And because the word also means "lasting four years," you can say that the newly-elected President will serve a quadrennial term.

While the "happening every four years" meaning is more common, you can use the word quadrennial in both ways. You might describe your high school years, ninth to twelfth grade, as a quadrennial, while also referring to your favorite quadrennial sporting event, Olympic figure skating. This word is from the Latin quadri-, "four," and -ennial, from annus, "year."

Definitions of quadrennial

1. adjective

   relating to or lasting for four years
2. adjective

   happening or being done every four years
3. noun

   a period of four years
   synonyms: quadrennium

   type of:

   period, period of time, time period

   an amount of time