columbus day: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Governmental
Quick answer
What does “columbus day” mean?
A U.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A U.S. federal holiday observed on the second Monday of October, commemorating Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492.
A holiday that has become increasingly controversial due to its association with the colonization of the Americas and the subsequent impact on Indigenous peoples, leading some states and cities to rename or replace it with Indigenous Peoples' Day.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday and is not observed in the UK. The UK has no equivalent national holiday. The term is primarily used in American English contexts.
Connotations
In American English, it traditionally connotes celebration and discovery for some, but colonization and suffering for others. In British English, it is a foreign cultural reference with little inherent connotation.
Frequency
High frequency in U.S. media and official calendars in October; extremely low frequency in UK contexts outside of specific historical or comparative discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “columbus day” in a Sentence
[Subject] observes/celebrates/replaces Columbus Day.Columbus Day falls on [Date].The debate about Columbus Day centres on [Issue].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “columbus day” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The topic was Columbused in the debate. (rare, metaphorical use meaning 'to appropriate or claim discovery of')
American English
- Some states have chosen to un-Columbus their October holiday. (rare, neologism)
adjective
American English
- The Columbus Day sales are huge.
- They attended the Columbus Day parade.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Our offices will be closed in observance of Columbus Day."
Academic
"The historiographical shift has led many institutions to re-evaluate the commemoration of Columbus Day."
Everyday
"Do we have school on Columbus Day?"
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “columbus day”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “columbus day”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “columbus day”
- Misspelling as 'Columbas Day' or 'Columbos Day'.
- Incorrectly capitalising 'day' when not part of the proper noun (e.g., 'the Columbus day parade' is incorrect).
- Using it to refer to the date of the historical landing (October 12) rather than the modern movable holiday (second Monday in October).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a federal holiday, but individual states and territories can choose not to observe it. Some, like Hawaii and South Dakota, do not recognise it, and many cities have officially replaced it.
It is controversial because Christopher Columbus's voyages led to European colonisation, which resulted in the displacement, enslavement, and deaths of millions of Indigenous peoples. Many argue the holiday glorifies this harmful history.
It became a federal holiday in 1937 after lobbying by the Knights of Columbus and Italian-American groups. In 1971, it was moved to the second Monday in October.
Some countries in the Americas have holidays related to Columbus, often called Día de la Raza, Día de la Hispanidad, or Discovery Day, but their dates and meanings vary. The U.S. 'Columbus Day' is specific to the United States.
A U.
Columbus day is usually formal, historical, governmental in register.
Columbus day: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈlʌmbəs deɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈləmbəs deɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No bank holiday for you, it's not Columbus Day yet. (humorous, implying an unexpected day off is not available)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COLUMBUS discovered land in OCTOBER. COLUMBUS DAY is the holiday in OCTOBER named after him.
Conceptual Metaphor
A HOLIDAY IS A MONUMENT (to a person or event, which can be celebrated or contested).
Practice
Quiz
What is a common modern alternative name for Columbus Day in some U.S. jurisdictions?