Cinco de Mayo

noun

ˌsiŋ-kō-də-ˈmī-ō How to pronounce Cinco de Mayo (audio)
ˌsēŋ-kō-t͟hā-ˈmä-yō
: a Mexican and Mexican-American celebration held on May 5 in commemoration of the Mexican victory over the French at Puebla in 1862

Examples of Cinco de Mayo 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.
Leaders of Christ Episcopal Church in Toms River, N.J., were preparing for a Cinco de Mayo festival late one night when the news began to spread: The mayor planned to use eminent domain to seize their church and its 11 acres of land. Tracey Tully, New York Times, 21 May 2025 While many people in the area were eating Mexican food on May 5 to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, one local institution had its own tradition to uphold the following day. Penny E Schwartz, Oc Register, 19 May 2025 The story of Margaret was the foundation’s first event and was held last weekend in conjunction with the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, a symbol of Mexican pride and identity. Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025 While the boxing schedule this weekend is not as loaded as the Cinco de Mayo weekend was, there is a title fight to consider. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for Cinco de Mayo

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, fifth of May

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Cinco de Mayo was in 1931

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Cite this Entry

“Cinco de Mayo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cinco%20de%20Mayo. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

Cinco de Mayo

noun
ˌsiŋ-kō-də-ˈmī-ō How to pronounce Cinco de Mayo (audio)
ˌsēŋ-kō-t͟hā-ˈmä-yō
: a Mexican and Mexican-American celebration held on May 5 in honor of the Mexican victory over the French at Puebla in 1862
Etymology

Spanish, "fifth of May"

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