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

All this changes when both houses of Congress return after Labor Day and legislative activity ramps up.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 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

Schools in the Northeast and upper Midwest tended to start later, around Labor Day.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026

By Labor Day, SpaceX will have a couple of months as a public company under its belt.

From Barron's ● Jun. 9, 2026

The white school always started the day after Labor Day.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez