May Day

American  

noun

1. 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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May Day British  

noun

1. 1. 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

   2. ( as modifier )

      May-Day celebrations

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Etymology

Origin of May Day

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English

Compare meaning

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

• May Day vs. Labor Day

Example Sentences

Kaneva notes inter-regional bus trips hit a record over the May Day holiday.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

Mamdani walked the picket lines with nurses and addressed a rally of union workers on May Day.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

It meant the Met had to stage one of its most significant public order policing operations since the May Day riots of the early 2000s.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

U.S. recognition of International Workers’ Day, also called May Day, originated as labor rights movements fought for economic fairness by pushing for better pay and working conditions.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Since this was an annual holiday, instead of working everyone attended the May Day celebration and fair at the cathedral.

From "Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction" by David Macaulay