Columbus Day

noun

Co·​lum·​bus Day kə-ˈləm-bəs- How to pronounce Columbus Day (audio)
1
: October 12 formerly observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S. in commemoration of the landing of Columbus in the Bahamas in 1492
2
: the second Monday in October observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S.

Examples of Columbus Day in a Sentence

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There are probably people who believe this political football paints Republicans who promote Columbus Day as racists and Democrats who promote Indigenous Peoples' Day as enlightened. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 The event was open on Monday due to the Columbus Day holiday. — David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 It is typically observed on the second Monday in October, the same day as Columbus Day, a federal holiday established decades ago to recognize Columbus’ sighting in 1492 of what came to be known as the Americas. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 The park, one of the largest in Georgia and a popular attraction for families and kids, operates on weekends in October but was open Monday for the Columbus Day holiday – a time when many schools in the Atlanta area celebrate fall break. — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Columbus Day

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Columbus Day was in 1892

Rhymes for Columbus Day

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Browse Nearby Words

Columbus's crab
Columbus Day
columella
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Cite this Entry

“Columbus Day.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Columbus%20Day. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Columbus Day

noun
Co·​lum·​bus Day kə-ˈləm-bəs- How to pronounce Columbus Day (audio)
: the second Monday in October observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S. in honor of the landing of Columbus in the Bahamas in 1492

More from Merriam-Webster on Columbus Day

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Columbus Day

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