Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A U.S. federal holiday honoring military veterans: Veterans Day is an official public holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11. It is dedicated to honoring and expressing gratitude to all individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Usage

• Veterans Day is a day for ceremonies, parades, and moments of remembrance.
• It is distinct from Memorial Day, which honors those who died in military service.
• Government offices, schools, and many businesses are typically closed on this day.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "Veterans Day observance": Refers to the ceremonies and activities held on the holiday.
  • The Veterans Day observance at the national cemetery was very moving.
• "Veterans Day weekend": Often refers to the period including the Friday before or the Monday after the holiday, especially if it falls near a weekend.
  • Many stores have sales during the Veterans Day weekend.

Variants and Related Words

• Veteran (n): A person who has served in the military.
  • He is a veteran of the Marine Corps.
• Armistice Day (n): The original name for the November 11 holiday, commemorating the end of World War I hostilities in 1918. It was renamed Veterans Day in the United States in 1954.

Synonyms

• Remembrance Day: The name used in other Commonwealth countries for a similar November 11 observance.
• Armistice Day: The historical name for the holiday.

Notes on Meaning

• Veterans Day specifically honors all U.S. military veterans, both living and deceased.
• The placement of the apostrophe is often debated; the official U.S. government spelling is "Veterans Day" (no apostrophe), as it is not a day to veterans but a day veterans.

Noun

1. a legal holiday in the United States; formerly Armistice Day but called Veterans' Day since 1954