Cinco de Mayo

noun

ˌsiŋ-kō-də-ˈmī-ō 

ˌsēŋ-kō-t͟hā-ˈmä-yō

: a Mexican and Mexican-American celebration held on May 5 in commemoration of the Mexican victory over the French at Puebla in 1862

Examples of Cinco de Mayo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The story of Margaret was the foundation’s first event and was held last weekend in conjunction with the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, a symbol of Mexican pride and identity. —Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025

While the boxing schedule this weekend is not as loaded as the Cinco de Mayo weekend was, there is a title fight to consider. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

The Cinco de Mayo festival in Chicago’s La Villita neighborhood was canceled over fear of ICE raids. —Griselda Flores, Billboard, 7 May 2025

That includes the newest location of La Loma, which opened Monday (Cinco de Mayo) at 9355 Crown Crest Blvd. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 7 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, fifth of May

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Cinco de Mayo

• buteo
• cacao
• vireo

Kids Definition

Cinco de Mayo

noun

ˌsiŋ-kō-də-ˈmī-ō 

ˌsēŋ-kō-t͟hā-ˈmä-yō

: a Mexican and Mexican-American celebration held on May 5 in honor of the Mexican victory over the French at Puebla in 1862

Etymology

Spanish, "fifth of May"