Definition

Proper noun: * A U.S. federal holiday: Martin Luther King Day is a United States federal holiday observed annually in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the prominent leader of the American civil rights movement. It is a day dedicated to commemorating his life, legacy, and contributions to the pursuit of racial equality and justice through nonviolent means.

Usage

• The holiday is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is close to Dr. King's birthday on January 15.
• It is commonly referred to as Martin Luther King Jr. Day or simply MLK Day.
• It is a day for reflection, community service, and educational events about civil rights.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "Observe Martin Luther King Day": To formally recognize or commemorate the holiday, often by not working or by participating in related activities.
  • Our company observes Martin Luther King Day as a paid holiday.
• "Martin Luther King Day weekend": Refers to the long weekend (Saturday through Monday) created by the Monday holiday.
  • We're planning a short trip for Martin Luther King Day weekend.

Variants and Related Words

• MLK Day (n): A common abbreviated form of the holiday's name.
  • What are your plans for MLK Day?
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (n): The full, formal name of the holiday.

Synonyms

• Federal holiday: A holiday recognized by the national government.
• National holiday: A holiday observed across the entire nation. (Note: While widely observed, its status is specifically as a federal holiday.)

Related Phrases

• Day of Service: A phrase strongly associated with Martin Luther King Day, encouraging citizens to volunteer and improve their communities, reflecting Dr. King's teachings.
  • Transforming Martin Luther King Day into a day of service was a key goal of the legislation.

Noun

1. observed on the Monday closest to January 15