Columbus Day

noun

Co·​lum·​bus Day kə-ˈləm-bəs- How to pronounce Columbus Day (audio)
1
: October 12 formerly observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S. in commemoration of the landing of Columbus in the Bahamas in 1492
2
: the second Monday in October observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S.

Examples of Columbus Day in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That weekend was a federal holiday weekend, with Columbus Day falling on Monday. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2026 There are probably people who believe this political football paints Republicans who promote Columbus Day as racists and Democrats who promote Indigenous Peoples' Day as enlightened. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 The event was open on Monday due to the Columbus Day holiday. — David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 Work began over Columbus Day weekend, but Tuesday morning’s commute is the first day that many riders will encounter service disruptions. — Mark Bonamo Mark Bonamo Mark Bonamo Nicol León Arge Mark Bonamo Mark Bonamo Nicol León Arge Mark Bonamo Nicol León Arge Nicol León Arge Mark Bonamo Nicol León Arge Nicol León Arge Nicol León Arge Mark Bonamo Mark Bonamo Nicol León Arge Nicol León Arge Mark Bonamo Nicol León Arge Mark Bonamo Nicol León Arge, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Columbus Day

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Columbus Day was in 1892

Rhymes for Columbus Day

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Browse Nearby Words

Columbus's crab
Columbus Day
columella
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Cite this Entry

“Columbus Day.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Columbus%20Day. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Columbus Day

noun
Co·​lum·​bus Day kə-ˈləm-bəs- How to pronounce Columbus Day (audio)
: the second Monday in October observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S. in honor of the landing of Columbus in the Bahamas in 1492

More from Merriam-Webster on Columbus Day

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Columbus Day

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