Independence Day

noun

: a civil holiday for the celebration of the anniversary of the beginnings of national independence
specifically : July 4 observed as a legal holiday in the U.S. in commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776

Examples of Independence Day in a Sentence

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Earlier in the summer, an influx of stray animals after Independence Day fireworks prompted free adoptions and a marketing push aimed at clearing space. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Born in New Jersey on Independence Day, 1924, Saint studied acting in college at Bowling Green State University before beginning her career in television—as an NBC page. — Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026 Last month, the band performed to a crowd of 300,000 at the famed El Zocalo Capitalino in Mexico City to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026 Her final words called back to the 1996 movie Independence Day. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Independence Day

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Independence Day was in 1791

Rhymes for Independence Day

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Browse Nearby Words

Independence
Independence Day
independency
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Cite this Entry

“Independence Day.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Independence%20Day. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Independence Day

noun
: a holiday celebrating the beginnings of a nation's independence
especially : July 4 observed as a legal holiday in the U.S. in honor of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776

More from Merriam-Webster on Independence Day

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Independence Day

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