Columbus Day

noun

Co·​lum·​bus Day kə-ˈləm-bəs- 

1

: October 12 formerly observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S. in commemoration of the landing of Columbus in the Bahamas in 1492

2

: the second Monday in October observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S.

Examples of Columbus Day in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Indigenous Peoples' Day began in the late 1980s amid efforts to promote Native American rights, providing another option instead of Columbus Day, according to the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. — Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Upcoming bank holidays are Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. — John Tufts, IndyStar, 7 Sep. 2026

The giant maze will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays along with Columbus Day. — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026

The Lobster Pound will be open daily through Columbus Day and then weekends perhaps until January. — Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Columbus Day

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

Kids Definition

Columbus Day

noun

Co·​lum·​bus Day kə-ˈləm-bəs- 

: the second Monday in October observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S. in honor of the landing of Columbus in the Bahamas in 1492