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
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With almost 200 ratings, these 35-percent-off Antora 3 Trail Running Shoes (the best-selling in their category) are a pre-Black Friday highlight.
—
Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2025
Black Friday candle sales are bountiful during this time of year, which is just one thing to thank the retail gods for during a hectic season.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2025
Black Friday, often considered the unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season, is just weeks away.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Oct. 2025
And unlike pricier Dyson or Shark models, this lightweight powerhouse covers all the same bases for $150—now 25% off ahead of Black Friday.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
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Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2025
Black Friday candle sales are bountiful during this time of year, which is just one thing to thank the retail gods for during a hectic season.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2025
Black Friday, often considered the unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season, is just weeks away.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Oct. 2025
And unlike pricier Dyson or Shark models, this lightweight powerhouse covers all the same bases for $150—now 25% off ahead of Black Friday.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Black Friday
Cite this Entry
“Black Friday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Black%20Friday. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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