noun
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an anniversary of the day of one's birth
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( as modifier )
birthday present
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the day on which a person was born
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any anniversary
Etymology
Origin of birthday
Explanation
Your birthday is the day of your birth! It’s the yearly anniversary that marks the day you were born. Not everyone celebrates, but a birthday is a good excuse for a party and cake. You can use birthday both to refer to the specific day of a baby's birth, and the annual marking of that day throughout the years that follow. Sometimes people talk about the birthday of a country, group, or even a building: "It's the art museum's fiftieth birthday next year." The Old English byrddæg originally referred to the celebration of a king or saint's birth, but over the years it was extended to include everyone.
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 U.S. is celebrating its 250th birthday this year, but baseball has been embedded in the fabric of the country for far longer than that.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
Lady Beckham wished Brooklyn a happy birthday on social media last month, but her latest interview marks her first direct comment on the rift.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026
At the stadium of the Argentina soccer team he coached, Maradona was greeted with fireworks, cake and a banner wishing him a happy birthday.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
"I felt horrific shame sitting with Nuria at her grave all day on 20 March, her 11th birthday, because I can't say to her or anyone why she's there," Butt said.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
There was another burst of gold, like the sparkler candles the twins had for their birthday two weeks ago.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
