Juneteenth

noun

June·​teenth ˌjün-ˈtēn(t)th 

: June 19 observed as a legal holiday in the United States in commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S.

Note: The federal name for this holiday according to the United States Code is Juneteenth National Independence Day. It is also called Black Independence Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day.

Examples of Juneteenth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Galveston Island Even Galveston Island, the birthplace of Juneteenth and the fourth-biggest cruise port in the United States, celebrates the season with beer, dancing and sausage. —Pam Leblanc, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2024

Lamar’s most recent performance took place on June 19 at the Kia Forum, when the MC tapped West Coast artists including Tyler, the Creator, Roddy Ricch, Ty Dolla $ign, YG and more for a special Juneteenth show. —Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2024

One such program is the society's annual Juneteenth Celebration. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., The Arizona Republic, 8 Sep. 2024

Biden has signed into law legislation codifying lynching as a federal hate crime, established Juneteenth as a federal holiday and signed a proclamation establishing the national monument across three sites in Illinois and Mississippi honoring Emmett Till, and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. —Aamer Madhani and Zeke Miller, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

blend of June and nineteenth

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Juneteenth

• Juneteenth Independence Day
• Juneteenth National Independence Day

Kids Definition

Juneteenth

noun

June·​teenth

ˌjün-ˈtēn(t)th

: June 19 observed as a legal holiday in the U.S. in commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S.