Black Friday

noun

US
: the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving Day that is considered by retailers to mark the beginning of the holiday shopping season

Note: The origin of Black Friday in this sense is not known for certain. The day was allegedly so named either in reference to traffic congestion in central cities on the day after Thanksgiving or to the supposed fact that retailers' accounts shifted from red to black with the beginning of the shopping season.

Examples of Black Friday in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Check out our favorite pre–Black Friday Dyson deals and clothing sales, here. Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 17 Oct. 2025 All stores will reopen the following day on Black Friday. Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025 The fumbled-snap win over the Raiders last year kicked off at 2 p.m. on Black Friday. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025 China is entering its busiest shopping season of the year akin to Black Friday: the Nov. 11 Singles Day promotional period. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Black Friday

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Black Friday was in 1961

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Cite this Entry

“Black Friday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Black%20Friday. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

Black Friday

noun
: the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving that is considered by some retailers to mark the beginning of the holiday shopping season
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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