Halloween

noun

Hal·​low·​een ˌha-lə-ˈwēn  ˌhä- 

variants or less commonly Hallowe'en

: October 31 observed especially with dressing up in disguise, trick-or-treating, and displaying jack-o'-lanterns during the evening

Examples of Halloween in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Don’t try to protect your child from all things Halloween. —Mia Taylor, Parents, 11 Oct. 2024

After surviving the Art the Clown’s Halloween massacre, Sienna and her brother try to rebuild their lives as Christmas rolls around. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

In 2015, for one night only, the Vanguard was the Golden Dragon Chinese restaurant on Halloween. —Jordyn Noennig, Journal Sentinel, 11 Oct. 2024

The River City is, however, well past its earliest freeze of Oct. 3 in 1974 — and our chances of getting back to a freeze by Halloween time are likely getting lower each year. —Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

short for All Hallow Even (All Saints' Eve)

First Known Use

circa 1700, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Halloween

noun

Hal·​low·​een ˌhal-ə-ˈwēn  ˌhäl- 

: October 31 celebrated especially by wearing costumes, trick-or-treating, and displaying jack-o'-lanterns

Etymology

an altered form of All Hallow Even, the eve of All Saints' Day

Word Origin

Modern-day Christians know the first of November as All Saints' Day. In the Middle Ages it was called All Hallow Day. This was a hallowed or holy day celebrated in honor of all the saints in heaven. Since November 1 was a special holy day with a special name, the day before it had a special name as well. October 31 was called All Hallow Eve or All Hallow Even. The words eve and even were used both for the evening and the day before a special day. This name was sometimes written All Hallow E'en and later shortened to Halloween.