Whitsunday

noun

Whit·​sun·​day ˈ(h)wit-ˈsən-dē How to pronounce Whitsunday (audio) -sən-ˌdā How to pronounce Whitsunday (audio)

Examples of Whitsunday in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Best Beaches in India 10 of 15 Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia The silica-rich sand at Whitehaven Beach is what gives it its snowy-white appearance. Steven Casale, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024 The official series description of Below Deck: Down Under is as follows: Below Deck heads Down Under to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands in Australia. Josie Howell | Jhowell@al.com, al, 10 Aug. 2023 This season focuses on the crew aboard the Northern Sun, a superyacht that hosts guests sailing through the Whitsunday Islands in Australia. Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2023 Officials have been focused on the recovery efforts since the helicopter crashed in the Whitsunday Islands off the northeast Australian coast during a nighttime operation on Friday, the AP reported. Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 3 Aug. 2023 Part of Australia's Whitsunday Coast, the star attraction is remarkable for its amazing combination of pure silica sands and vivid blue-green waters. Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Whitsunday.' 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

Middle English Whitsonday, from Old English hwīta sunnandæg, literally, white Sunday; probably from the custom of wearing white robes by those newly baptized at this season

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Whitsunday was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near Whitsunday

Cite this Entry

“Whitsunday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Whitsunday. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Whitsunday

noun
Whit·​sun·​day ˈhwit-ˈsən-dē How to pronounce Whitsunday (audio) -sən-ˌdā How to pronounce Whitsunday (audio)
ˈwit-
Etymology

Old English hwīta sunnandæg, literally "white Sunday"; probably so called from the fact that at this season there were many people who were newly baptized and who wore white robes

More from Merriam-Webster on Whitsunday

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