Independence Day

noun

: a civil holiday for the celebration of the anniversary of the beginnings of national independence

specifically : July 4 observed as a legal holiday in the U.S. in commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776

Examples of Independence Day in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So, the fact that the Illinois fireworks ban is roundly ignored by Illinoisans is not a surprise to anyone, as the night skies prove on Independence Day. —Brad Weisenstein, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026

Bagley later re-teamed with the Oscar winner in 1996 for the summer blockbuster Independence Day. —Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026

Costa Rica’s Independence Day falls on September 15, and there are a ton of cultural festivities and parades centered around it. —Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2026

Authorities, including the president’s office, dismissed news reports at the time linking the move to a coup plot and as the reason for the cancellation of Independence Day commemorations that month. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Independence Day

• euphorbiaceae
• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier

Kids Definition

Independence Day

noun

: a holiday celebrating the beginnings of a nation's independence

especially : July 4 observed as a legal holiday in the U.S. in honor of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776