Memorial Day

noun

1

: May 30 formerly observed as a legal holiday in most states of the U.S. in remembrance of war dead

2

: the last Monday in May observed as a legal holiday in most states of the U.S.

3

: confederate memorial day

Examples of Memorial Day in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The work at the track, meanwhile, was completed by Memorial Day. — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

The road closes for the season every fall due to snow and ice and typically reopens on or around Memorial Day. — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

They were joined by about 50 guests for the Memorial Day weekend festivities. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026

The meeting was scheduled for the day after Memorial Day, after the end of the Colorado district’s 2022-23 school year. — Beth Hawkins, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Memorial Day

• andromache
• bioassay
• cabriolet
• cercariae
• communique
• companionway
• compositae
• decussate
• examinee
• fabaceae
• glyphosate
• gramineae

Kids Definition

Memorial Day

noun

1

: May 30 once observed as a legal holiday in honor of those who died in war

2

: the last Monday in May observed as a legal holiday in most states of the U.S.