heyday

¹ American  

[hey-dey] / ˈheɪˌdeɪ /

Or heydey

noun

1. the stage or period of greatest vigor, strength, success, etc.; prime.

   the heyday of the vaudeville stars.

2. Archaic. high spirits.

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heyday ² American  

[hey-dey] / ˈheɪ deɪ /

interjection

Archaic.

1. (used as an exclamation of cheerfulness, surprise, wonder, etc.)

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heyday British  

/ ˈheɪˌdeɪ /

noun

1. the time of most power, popularity, vigour, etc; prime

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Etymology

Origin of heyday¹

1580–90; variant of high day, apparently by confusion with heyday ²

Origin of heyday²

1520–30; rhyming compound based on hey; replacing heyda < German hei da hey there

Explanation

A heyday is a peak of popularity or success. If you hear someone say "Hey! Back in the day, I was the best boxer in the city! No one could beat me!" he might be remembering his heyday as a fighter. If you remember a time in the past when you were doing something really well or getting a lot of attention or fame, you might be reminiscing about your heyday. A person or an organization — and even a thing — can have a heyday, or a peak time when everything goes well. The good news is that a heyday can come again and again, so while your heyday as student president might be just a memory, there might be a heyday as governor of your state years later.

Example Sentences

“Nexstar’s influence is much diminished from its heyday, thanks to audience fragmentation, so it does need to consolidate to have any kind of future on its own terms,” TVNewsCheck editor Michael Depp told me.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

The subsequent investigation under New York’s Martin Act brought down the Consolidated, and helped end the heyday of the bucket shop.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

During its wedding heyday in the early 2000s, the resort hosted 360 a year, sometimes three a day, according to Antje Tourneur, guest experience director.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Yes, the rumors were true — Cyrus dated actor Dylan Sprouse, who starred in “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody,” during their Disney Channel heyday.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

He saw past the present moment as though with a magic scope; through this special lens he saw an empire rise, grander and mightier than anything his father had commanded, even in his heyday.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen