Labor Day

American  

noun

1. (in the U.S.) a legal holiday, commonly the first Monday in September, in honor of labor.

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Labor Day British  

noun

1. (in the US and Canada) a public holiday in honour of labour, held on the first Monday in September

2. (in Australia) a public holiday observed on different days in different states

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Labor Day Cultural  

1. A national holiday in the United States and Canada in honor of working people. Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September.

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Etymology

Origin of Labor Day

First recorded in 1885–90

Compare meaning

How does labor-day compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• May Day vs. Labor Day

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Labor Day

The city has already been besieged by an unusually active, El Niño-fueled hurricane season, taking damage from Hurricane Marie over Labor Day weekend and Hurricane Polo last month.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

“We took Labor Day literally this year,” Palvin wrote in the caption accompanying a photo of she and Sprouse holding their baby girl between them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026

Retail gasoline rose 13 cents in the prior week, veering off its usual path of declining after the Labor Day holiday.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 17, 2026

I hope everyone in the U.S. was able to enjoy a nice Labor Day weekend.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

The elementary schools and junior highs wouldn’t open until the day after Labor Day, like always.

From "The Lions of Little Rock" by Kristin Levine