Labor Day

American  

noun

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

---

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

---

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.

---

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

This year, a parade of initial public offerings expected after Labor Day is making a lot of noise.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

Officials said that effective Sept. 8, or the day after Labor Day, Canada plans to place tariffs ranging between 15% and 50% on about $20 billion of goods, or roughly 7% of total U.S. imports.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

Carney said the tariffs would take effect next month on Sept. 8, the Tuesday after Labor Day, and would focus on sectors including steel, dairy, paper, electronics, appliances and agricultural equipment.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 22, 2026

And in Myrtle Beach, S.C., officials instituted an “umbrellas-only rule” from Memorial Day through Labor Day citing safety.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2026

Across the room, against the opposite wall, she noticed the three pieces of foam core her mom had bought for Jessie's Labor Day project.

From "The Lemonade War" by Jacqueline Davies