Cinco de Mayo

noun

ˌsiŋ-kō-də-ˈmī-ō How to pronounce Cinco de Mayo (audio)
ˌsēŋ-kō-t͟hā-ˈmä-yō
: a Mexican and Mexican-American celebration held on May 5 in commemoration of the Mexican victory over the French at Puebla in 1862

Examples of Cinco de Mayo in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Officers had just begun shutting down the restaurant's Cinco de Mayo event after a fight broke out. — Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 11 May 2026 But Cinco de Mayo’s Texas roots truly began in 1989. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2026 In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has—unfairly—been reduced to an excuse to drink tequila and eat guac. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 May 2026 An idea that once seemed like a long shot is now entirely within the realm of possibility — in a moment of kismet, halfway through Cinco de Mayo, the entire cast got the news that they were renewed for a second season. — Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for Cinco de Mayo

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, fifth of May

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Cinco de Mayo was in 1931

Rhymes for Cinco de Mayo

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Browse Nearby Words

Cinclus
Cinco de Mayo
cinct
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cinco de Mayo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cinco%20de%20Mayo. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Cinco de Mayo

noun
ˌsiŋ-kō-də-ˈmī-ō How to pronounce Cinco de Mayo (audio)
ˌsēŋ-kō-t͟hā-ˈmä-yō
: a Mexican and Mexican-American celebration held on May 5 in honor of the Mexican victory over the French at Puebla in 1862
Etymology

Spanish, "fifth of May"

More from Merriam-Webster on Cinco de Mayo

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Cinco de Mayo

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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