labor day
High (C1/C2, specialized in cultural contexts; lower in international general English)Formal, official, cultural, media
Definition
Meaning
A public holiday in the United States and Canada, held on the first Monday in September, to honour and recognize the achievements and contributions of workers.
A general term for a public holiday celebrating workers and the labour movement, found in various countries worldwide. It can also refer to the period of long weekend marking the unofficial end of summer in North America.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Capitalized as a proper noun for the official holiday (e.g., Labor Day parade). Can be used generically in lowercase (e.g., a labor day in another country), but this is rarer. Strongly associated with end-of-summer activities, sales, and parades in the US/Canadian context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the US and Canada, 'Labor Day' (US spelling) / 'Labour Day' (Canadian/UK spelling) is the first Monday in September. In the UK and most Commonwealth countries, the equivalent is 'May Day' or 'International Workers' Day' on 1 May.
Connotations
US/Canada: End of summer, back-to-school, non-political celebration of workers. UK/Australia: 'Labour Day' (or 'May Day') often has stronger historical ties to trade unionism and political labour movements.
Frequency
The term 'Labor Day' is high-frequency in US/Canadian English, especially in late August and September. It is low-frequency in British English, where 'May Day' or 'Bank Holiday' is preferred for similar concepts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
We will [verb] on Labor Day.The [noun] is closed for Labor Day.Labor Day [verb] the end of summer.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The unofficial end of summer (associated with Labor Day in the US)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Office will be closed in observance of Labor Day.
Academic
The historical significance of Labor Day in the American labour movement is often studied.
Everyday
What are your plans for the Labor Day weekend?
Technical
The federal holiday codified in 5 U.S.C. § 6103(a) as 'Labor Day'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The unions will labour for better recognition on their day.
- We plan to labour day in, day out.
American English
- They had to labor over the holiday preparations.
- We will labor to finish the project before the holiday.
adverb
British English
- N/A (Not standard usage for the holiday term).
American English
- N/A (Not standard usage for the holiday term).
adjective
British English
- He attended a labour-day meeting with union reps.
- The Labour-Day weekend traffic was heavy.
American English
- Store hours are different for the Labor-Day weekend.
- We're having a Labor-Day barbecue.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My school starts after Labor Day.
- The shop is closed on Labor Day.
- We always visit my grandparents over Labor Day weekend.
- Many Americans have a picnic on Labor Day.
- The significance of Labor Day has shifted from a purely workers' parade to a general end-of-summer festival.
- Retailers offer significant discounts during their Labor Day sales events.
- While Labor Day in the US commemorates the labour movement, its contemporary observance is largely depoliticized compared to International Workers' Day.
- The legislation establishing Labor Day as a federal holiday was a strategic move to foster reconciliation between labour and capital.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'LABOR' means work. It's a DAY for workers. In the US, it's the last big holiday before you LABOR through the autumn.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DAY is a CONTAINER FOR REST/Celebration; A HOLIDAY is a TURNING POINT (end of summer).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'День труда' expecting it to refer to 1 May (Первое мая). In a US context, 'День труда' specifically refers to the September holiday. For 1 May, use 'Первое мая' or 'День международной солидарности трудящихся'.
Common Mistakes
- Writing 'Labour Day' in a strictly American context (US spelling is 'Labor'). Using 'Labor Day' to refer to 1 May when speaking with non-Americans. Using incorrect preposition: 'in Labor Day' instead of 'on Labor Day'.
Practice
Quiz
When is Labor Day celebrated in the United States?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While many countries have a holiday celebrating workers, the date and name vary. The US and Canada use 'Labor/Labour Day' on the first Monday in September, while many other countries celebrate on or around 1 May (May Day).
It was chosen in the late 19th century to create a long weekend and avoid association with more radical leftist movements linked to 1 May (International Workers' Day).
In the US, government offices, banks, and most schools are closed. Many businesses, especially retail, remain open, often with holiday sales. Essential services and some restaurants are also open.
In American English, it is 'Labor Day'. In Canadian and British English, the spelling is 'Labour Day'. Always use the spelling appropriate for your regional context.