Memorial Day

noun

1

: May 30 formerly observed as a legal holiday in most states of the U.S. in remembrance of war dead

2

: the last Monday in May observed as a legal holiday in most states of the U.S.

3

: confederate memorial day

Examples of Memorial Day in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It is now ticketed and draws 90,000 attendees, a mix of locals and tourists, over Memorial Day weekend while the city fills up with others who skip the festival but attend day parties and after-parties. — Carla Vecchiola, The Conversation, 26 June 2026

Other holidays include New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 June 2026

Summer travel began the week of Memorial Day. — Dj Simmons june 25, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2026

Since a bed is an investment piece, mattress sales especially around holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day are popular times to upgrade. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Memorial Day

• andromache
• bioassay
• cabriolet
• cercariae
• communique
• companionway
• compositae
• decussate
• examinee
• fabaceae
• glyphosate
• gramineae

Kids Definition

Memorial Day

noun

1

: May 30 once observed as a legal holiday in honor of those who died in war

2

: the last Monday in May observed as a legal holiday in most states of the U.S.