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.
Black Friday deals are underway. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 15 Nov. 2025 Black Friday, a major shopping day, is scheduled for Friday, November 28, 2025. Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Nov. 2025 Participating sellers on Etsy are offering early discounts on artisanal wares (no coupon required) for holiday shoppers as an pre-Black Friday sale of sorts. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 10 Nov. 2025 Black Friday and Cyber Monday have always been my go-to times of the year for purchasing holiday gifts. Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 10 Nov. 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 17 Nov. 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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