PoliticsSeptember 2, 2026
biennium
by-EN-ee-um
Definition
A period of two years, frequently used to describe a two-year government budget cycle.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'biennium', which combines 'bi-' (two) and 'annus' (year). It entered English in the mid-17th century to refer to a two-year period.
In the news
The article uses the word to describe the two-year period covered by Whatcom County’s proposed budget. This is significant because the budget must account for expenses and revenues over this longer timeframe to maintain fiscal sustainability.
In challenging fiscal environment, Whatcom executive delivers ‘disciplined’ budget
Read the full article ↗Cascadia Daily News