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Synonyms

birthday

American  
[burth-dey] / ˈbɜrθˌdeɪ /

noun

  1. the anniversary of a birth.

  2. the day of a person's birth.

  3. a day marking or commemorating the origin, founding, or beginning of something.

  4. the festivities or celebration marking such a day or anniversary.


birthday British  
/ ˈbɜːθˌdeɪ /

noun

    1. an anniversary of the day of one's birth

    2. ( as modifier )

      birthday present

  1. the day on which a person was born

  2. any anniversary

"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 birthday

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; birth, day

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.

The Lord Mayor's award, one of Birmingham's highest civic honours, will be presented posthumously on Wednesday - the day the rock legend would have been toasting his 77th birthday.

From BBC

Ms Jones's son's birthday party, which was scheduled to take place in January, has also had to be rearranged.

From BBC

Playing for Tasmania in a Sheffield Shield game in Hobart, Ponting was a few days shy of his 20th birthday and nearing a century.

From BBC

Mike, 33, ended up sleeping on the streets after his relationship broke down after his birthday in November.

From BBC

The Cladhan was once a favoured placed for wedding receptions, anniversaries and birthday parties.

From BBC