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.

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birthday British  

/ ˈbɜːθˌdeɪ /

noun

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      birthday present

2. the day on which a person was born

3. any anniversary

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Etymology

Origin of birthday

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

Example Sentences

The disease was already advanced, and he died in 2021, a week before his 29th birthday.

From The Wall Street Journal

He warned against potato peelers and tin openers; he viewed birthday candles as deadly weapons.

From Literature

Family dynamics are complex things, especially when you blend an American mother with a Polish Jewish British father who died before my third birthday.

From Literature

But the moment was bittersweet for him as Monday was also the birthday of his father Vitaly.

From BBC

The final straw: Everyone in the group was invited to a child’s birthday party except Lu and her kid.

From The Wall Street Journal