Cinco de Mayo

noun

ˌsiŋ-kō-də-ˈmī-ō 

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

Many San Diegans have seen ballet folklórico performances at Cinco de Mayo and Día de los Muertos events, with girls swirling their skirts and young men in studded boots, stomping in time to mariachi music. — Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

De Paz said lucha frequently appears as entertainment at taco festivals, Cinco de Mayo celebrations and Hispanic Heritage Month events. — Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

Gere and Silva kept the celebration going in May, throwing a wedding party on Cinco de Mayo at Gere’s estate in Pound Ridge, New York. — Ale Russian, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

When a massive riot erupted at Soledad on Cinco de Mayo in 1968, Trejo hurled a rock that smashed a prison guard in the head. — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, fifth of May

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Cinco de Mayo

• buteo
• cacao
• vireo

Kids Definition

Cinco de Mayo

noun

ˌsiŋ-kō-də-ˈmī-ō 

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"