Commonwealth Day

American

noun

a holiday observed in some countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, originally on May 24, the anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth, but now on varying dates.

Commonwealth Day British

noun

Former name: Empire Day. the anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth, May 24, celebrated (now on the second Monday in March) as a holiday in many parts of the Commonwealth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Commonwealth Day

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

King Charles III will hail the value of traditional alliances and international friendships at a time of "increasing pressures of conflict" in his Commonwealth Day message.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

King Charles III and Catherine, Princess of Wales have attended the annual Commonwealth Day service, a year after both were forced to cancel because they were receiving cancer treatment.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2025

The theme of this year's Commonwealth Day is Together We Thrive, which celebrates the "enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family".

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2025

Commonwealth Day is traditionally marked with a service at Westminster Abbey and this year the King and Queen will attend alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2025

The full choice of tracks, with more royal commentary, will be published on Monday, for Commonwealth Day.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2025

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023