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.

Of all the tunes you would expect to hear at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, a Bollywood song isn't on the list.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2025

Two days after becoming European indoor champion over 60m last month, he was part of an event in Wales to mark Commonwealth Day.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2025

In recent weeks the King has been on a trip to Northern Ireland and also attended the Commonwealth Day service, which he missed last year after his diagnosis.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2025

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

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

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