Columbus Day
noun
Co·lum·bus Day
kə-ˈləm-bəs- 
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
Recent Examples on the Web
Approximately 29 states and Washington, D.C. do not celebrate Columbus Day.
—
Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024
Indigenous Peoples’ Day, previously known as Columbus Day, is observed in the U.S. on the second Monday of October.
—Fernanda Figueroa, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2024
Known as Columbus Day in the United States, the day is referred to in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries as Día de la Raza, honoring the countries and peoples conquered by Spain and other European nations.
—Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 14 Sep. 2024
What other federal holidays are left in 2024? After Labor Day, there are still several other federal holidays to come this year:
Monday, Oct. 14 - Columbus Day.
Monday, Nov. 11 - Veterans Day.
Thursday, Nov. 28 - Thanksgiving Day.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 2 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Columbus Day 
Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024
Indigenous Peoples’ Day, previously known as Columbus Day, is observed in the U.S. on the second Monday of October.
—Fernanda Figueroa, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2024
Known as Columbus Day in the United States, the day is referred to in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries as Día de la Raza, honoring the countries and peoples conquered by Spain and other European nations.
—Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 14 Sep. 2024
What other federal holidays are left in 2024? After Labor Day, there are still several other federal holidays to come this year:
Monday, Oct. 14 - Columbus Day.
Monday, Nov. 11 - Veterans Day.
Thursday, Nov. 28 - Thanksgiving Day.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 2 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Columbus Day
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Columbus Day.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to Columbus Day
Dictionary Entries Near Columbus Day
Cite this Entry
“Columbus Day.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Columbus%20Day. Accessed 28 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Columbus Day
noun
Co·lum·bus Day
kə-ˈləm-bəs-
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share