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

GasBuddy expects that if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked or significantly impeded through Memorial Day, the national average price of gas could surpass the all‑time record of $5 per gallon. —Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 2 May 2026

Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. —Kenneth D. Robinson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026

Yes, vote centers will be open on Memorial Day, which is May 25 this year, the secretary of state’s office confirmed. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 1 May 2026

The Tiami mattress, now 35% off for Memorial Day, is a design-forward, luxury mattress that has cooling and pain-relieving properties. —Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 1 May 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
• microarray

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.