Labor Day: Meaning, History, and How It's Celebrated

Meaning 1：workers' holiday (Labor Day)

Labor Day 🔊

/ˈleɪbər deɪ/

A public holiday to honor workers and their contributions, often with time off and celebrations.

Labor Day picnic scene with families enjoying outdoor activities

workers' holiday 🔊

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/ˈwɜːrkərz ˈhɑːlədeɪ/

A public holiday dedicated to celebrating and honoring workers and their contributions to society, typically observed with time off from work and various festivities.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'labor' (work) + 'day', indicating a day dedicated to workers.

💡 Mnemonic

On Labor Day, you get a break from labor. Remember: labor + day = day off from work.

📖 Example

We always have a barbecue with friends on Labor Day to enjoy the last days of summer. 🔊 We always have a barbecue with friends on Labor Day to enjoy the last days of summer.

🔗 Collocations

Labor Day parade – A parade held on Labor Day, often featuring union members and floats.

Labor Day sale – A seasonal sale event that occurs around Labor Day weekend.

Labor Day weekend – The three-day weekend that includes Labor Day Monday.

🔄 Synonyms

Workers' Day (n.) – An alternative name for Labor Day, especially in countries that celebrate on May 1.

International Workers' Day (n.) – A global holiday on May 1 commemorating workers' rights, similar in spirit to Labor Day.

🚫 Antonyms

workday (n.) – A day when regular work takes place, opposite of a holiday like Labor Day.

business day (n.) – A day when businesses are open, contrasting with a public holiday.

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from the 19th-century US labor movement, first celebrated in NYC in 1882, became a federal holiday in 1894 to honor workers' contributions.