May Day

American  

noun

1. the first day of May, long celebrated with various festivities, as the crowning of the May queen, dancing around the Maypole, and, in recent years, often marked by labor parades and political demonstrations.

---

May Day British  

noun

1. 1. the first day of May, traditionally a celebration of the coming of spring: in some countries now observed as a holiday in honour of workers

   2. ( as modifier )

      May-Day celebrations

---

Etymology

Origin of May Day

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English

Compare meaning

How does may-day compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• May Day vs. Labor Day

Example Sentences

Work began on land in Willows Green, near Felsted, Essex, within hours of Uttlesford District Council shutting its offices for the May Day Bank Holiday weekend on Friday.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

May Day, which celebrates workers and the working classes, sees a major police deployment in Turkey every year, with a large area in the heart of Istanbul around Taksim Square sealed off.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Most markets were closed across Europe and Asia for May Day, marking a quiet end to a frantic week of tech earnings and central bank decisions.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

U.S. recognition of International Workers’ Day, also called May Day, originated as labor rights movements fought for economic fairness by pushing for better pay and working conditions.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

I opposed the May Day strike on the grounds that the ANC had not originated the campaign, believing that we should concentrate on our own campaign.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela