May Day
- the first day of May, long celebrated with various festivities, as the crowning of the May queen, dancing around the Maypole, and, in recent years, often marked by labor parades and political demonstrations.
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Origin of May Day
Middle English word dating back to 1225–75
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for may day
Historical Examples
They skipped not in answer to the adagio movement in the May-day Symphony.
Cruel Barbara AllenDavid Christie Murray
It is no very rare thing for the Russian May-day to wear an aspect of January.
The GeniusMargaret Horton Potter
The children are invited to the parks for May-day and romping-day festivals.
A Woman for MayorHelen M. Winslow
"It's more wonderful than the May-day party," whispered Winifred.
A Little Maid of Old PhiladelphiaAlice Turner Curtis
There is no lovelier day of all the years of days for Florence than May-day.
The God of LoveJustin Huntly McCarthy
May Day
- the first day of May, traditionally a celebration of the coming of spring: in some countries now observed as a holiday in honour of workers
- (as modifier)May-Day celebrations
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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
Word Origin and History for may day
May Day
"first of May," mid-15c. Accounts of merrymaking on this date are attested from mid-13c. Synonymous with "communist procession" from at least 1906. The May Queen seems to be a Victorian re-invented tradition.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper