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

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prime Day has traditionally been one of Amazon's biggest shopping events of the year, behind Black Friday and Cyber Monday, respectively. Arriana McLymore and Greg Bensinger, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025 The mad rush to profits starts on (or about) Black Friday, which was given that name because retail financial red ink turns black around that time. Rick Helfenbein, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 Best Trisha Yearwood Furniture Way Day Deals Way Day is Wayfair’s biggest sale of the year — yes, even bigger than Black Friday — so this is the best time to save on investment-worthy furniture while it’s deeply discounted. Ali Faccenda, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025 The Wayfair sales event is even bigger than Black Friday, and there are oodles of savings on patio furniture and outdoor decor. Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Black Friday

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Black Friday was in 1961

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Cite this Entry

“Black Friday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Black%20Friday. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

Black Friday

noun
: the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving that is considered by some retailers to mark the beginning of the holiday shopping season
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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