Long Weekend Meaning, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：extended weekend (Long weekend)

Long weekend 🔊

/lɔːŋ ˈwiːkɛnd/

n.phr.

A weekend that has an extra day off, often because of a public holiday on Monday or Friday.

Family packing car for long weekend trip with calendar showing days off

extended weekend 🔊

➕

/ɪkˈstɛndɪd ˈwiːkɛnd/

n.phr.

A weekend that includes an extra day off, typically because of a public holiday falling on a Monday or Friday, giving three consecutive days of rest.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'lang' (long) + 'week' + 'end' (final part).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a calendar: two extra days off make the weekend 'longer' — think 'long' + 'weekend'.

📖 Example

We're planning a road trip for the upcoming long weekend. 🔊 We're planning a road trip for the upcoming long weekend.

🔗 Collocations

have a long weekend – to experience a weekend with an extra day off

enjoy a long weekend – to take pleasure in a three-day break

plan a long weekend – to schedule activities for an extended weekend

🔄 Synonyms

three-day weekend (n.phr.) – A weekend that includes an additional day off, making it three days long.

extended break (n.phr.) – A longer-than-usual period of rest from work or school.

bank holiday weekend (n.phr.) – A long weekend caused by a public holiday in the UK or other Commonwealth countries.

🚫 Antonyms

standard weekend (n.phr.) – A typical two-day weekend (Saturday and Sunday).

short weekend (n.phr.) – Informally, a weekend that feels brief due to work or obligations.

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'long weekend' gained popularity in the 20th century as public holidays like Labor Day or Easter Monday were scheduled on Mondays, creating a three-day break.