Columbus Day

noun

Co·​lum·​bus Day kə-ˈləm-bəs- How to pronounce Columbus Day (audio)
1
: October 12 formerly observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S. in commemoration of the landing of Columbus in the Bahamas in 1492
2
: the second Monday in October observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S.

Examples of Columbus Day in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Following September 1, the next holiday is Columbus Day on October 13. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 The next one, Columbus Day, will fall on Monday, October 13. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2025 Columbus Day is up next The next holiday is Columbus Day, which falls on October 13 this year. Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Aug. 2025 The sale rate isn't available Fridays, Saturdays or holidays such as Labor Day and Columbus Day. Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for Columbus Day

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Columbus Day was in 1892

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Cite this Entry

“Columbus Day.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Columbus%20Day. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

Columbus Day

noun
Co·​lum·​bus Day kə-ˈləm-bəs- How to pronounce Columbus Day (audio)
: the second Monday in October observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S. in honor of the landing of Columbus in the Bahamas in 1492

More from Merriam-Webster on Columbus Day

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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