Memorial Day

noun

1

: May 30 formerly observed as a legal holiday in most states of the U.S. in remembrance of war dead

2

: the last Monday in May observed as a legal holiday in most states of the U.S.

3

: confederate memorial day

Examples of Memorial Day in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rain possible at Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day weekend draws large crowds to Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, D.C. Saturday should be clear and cool, with a high in the upper 60s, the weather service says. —John Bacon, USA Today, 22 May 2025

Don't miss our roundups of the Best Memorial Day Mattress Deals and the Best Deals From the REI Anniversary Sale. —Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 22 May 2025

Trump and congressional leaders have set July 4 as the deadline for final approval of the legislation, with the Speaker insisting the House must pass the bill before Memorial Day, which is Monday. —Nik Popli, Time, 22 May 2025

The parade, the oldest neighborhood Memorial Day parade in Chicago, will feature the Morgan Park High School JROTC, Patriot Guard, Scout troops, antique vehicles, floats and military vehicles. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Memorial Day

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

Kids Definition

Memorial Day

noun

1

: May 30 once observed as a legal holiday in honor of those who died in war

2

: the last Monday in May observed as a legal holiday in most states of the U.S.