Groundhog Day

noun

1
: February 2 observed traditionally as a day that indicates six more weeks of winter if sunny or an early spring if cloudy
2
or less commonly groundhog day plural Groundhog Days also groundhog days : a situation in which the same usually negative or monotonous experiences occur repeatedly or are felt to occur repeatedly with no change or correction
Last month … I wrote all about how this lockdown has stolen my fashion mojo, locking me in a Groundhog Day of joggers and knitted sets.Penny Goldstone
How long before this Groundhog Day cycle of anxiety and illness ends and we can go back to some version of normal?Michiko Kakutani
The reality is that climate negotiations have long been stalled, lost in a Groundhog Day cycle of yearly meetings ending in plans for more meetings.Ruth Greenspan Bell and Barry Blechman
… the unrelenting endless cycle of groundhog days and going nowhere wears thin.Joan O'Donnell

Examples of Groundhog Day in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The borough of Punxsutawney is known for its Groundhog Day celebration held annually on February 2. USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 The Second Chances Wildlife Center shared on social media that their beloved weather-predicting groundhog, Major, died on Groundhog Day. The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 Later the Groundhog Club was formed, which hosted both the annual Groundhog Day ceremony and its summertime groundhog hunt. David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Feb. 2024 Dartmouth College is running back to its beloved standardized testing, like an ex popping their head back around after finding an excuse to say hello on a non-federal holiday (such as, but not limited to, the famed Groundhog Day). Chloe Berger, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2024 Where to watch Groundhog Day: Amazon Prime Video (to rent) 16. Debby Wolfinsohn, EW.com, 4 Feb. 2024 The holiday was created when a group of friends decided Texas needed its own mascot for predicting the weather each Groundhog Day. Stepheny Price, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2024 Plants and their predictions The roots of Groundhog Day lie in traditions that were likely imported to the United States from Germany, where the winter-forecasting animal was a badger rather than a groundhog. Jackie Wattles, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024 The tradition was formalized as Groundhog Day thanks to Clymer H. Freas, the editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit Newspaper, according to the NWS. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Groundhog Day.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from the superstition that a groundhog emerging from its burrow returns to hibernate if it sees its shadow on this day; (sense 2) after the film Groundhog Day (1993), with screenplay by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis, in which the main character is forced to relive the same day (February 2, Groundhog Day) until he learns certain life lessons

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Groundhog Day was in 1852

Dictionary Entries Near Groundhog Day

Cite this Entry

“Groundhog Day.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Groundhog%20Day. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Groundhog Day

noun
: February 2 when according to tradition the groundhog comes out of its burrow and if it sees its shadow and is frightened back underground there will be six more weeks of winter

More from Merriam-Webster on Groundhog Day

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