plural days
1
a
: the time of light between one night and the next
the shortest day of the year
b
: daylight sense 1
woke up at the break of day
c
: daytime
sleeps during the day and works at night
2
astronomy : the period of rotation of a planet (such as earth) or a moon on its axis
the length of one day on Mars
3
: the mean solar day of 24 hours beginning at midnight by mean time
open seven days a week
the first day of every month
Take one pill two times a day.
4
: a specified day or date
their wedding day
the day of her birth
5
: a specified time or period : age
in grandfather's day
often used in plural
the old days
the days of sailing ships
6
: the conflict or contention of the day
played hard and won the day
7
: the time established by usage or law for work, school, or business
starts his day with a cup of coffee
after a long day at school
We have a busy day tomorrow.

see also day after day, day in and day out

Examples of day in a Sentence

We're open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Payment is due on the first day of every month. “What day of the week is the 28th?” “It's a Friday.” He spent five days in the hospital. She left on Thursday and came back four days later. That was the happiest day of my life. Parenthood gets better every day. The office is closed for the day. She works eight hours a day. It costs 10 dollars a day to park there.
Recent Examples on the Web Like Kim, many are Korean immigrants who spend seven days a week peddling their wares to a mostly Black clientele. Ashley Ahn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 In the upload, the couple enjoyed some time outdoors on a sunny day. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 The regents eventually reversed course a few days later. Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 Homeowner Andrew Lester, 84, was accused of first-degree assault in Clay County Circuit Court a few days later as protests were mounting in Kansas City. Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 Indianapolis had record-breaking temperatures in February and has exceeded average daily temperatures multiple days in March. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024 Four days later, his son used the firearm to gun down his classmates. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2024 The verdict was announced during the second day of deliberations, after a two-week trial that has been followed closely in his home country. International Desk, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 John Belushi used to play him back in the day, with Darrell Hammond portraying the author in a play a few years back. Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'day.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English dæg; akin to Old High German tag day

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of day was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near day

Cite this Entry

“Day.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/day. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

day

noun
1
a
: the time of light between one night and the next
b
2
a
: the time the earth takes to make one turn on its axis
b
: the time required for a heavenly body to turn once on its axis
a lunar day
3
: a period of 24 hours beginning at midnight
4
: a specified day or date
the day of the picnic
their wedding day
5
: a specified time or period : age
in grandmother's day
6
: the conflict or dispute of the day
fought hard and won the day
7
: the time set apart by custom or law for work
the eight-hour day

Biographical Definition

Day 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

Clarence Shepard, Jr. 1874–1935 American author

Day

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Thomas 1748–1789 English author

Day

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

William Rufus 1849–1923 American statesman and jurist

More from Merriam-Webster on day

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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