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In its earliest appearances in English, in the 16th century, heyday was used as an interjection that expressed elation or wonder (similar to our word hey, from which it derives). Within a few decades, heyday was seeing use as a noun meaning "high spirits." This sense can be seen in Act III, scene 4 of Hamlet, when the Prince of Denmark tells his mother, "You cannot call it love; for at your age / The heyday in the blood is tame…." The word's second syllable is not thought to be borne of the modern word day (or any of its ancestors), but in the 18th century the syllable's resemblance to that word likely influenced the development of the now-familiar use referring to the period when one's achievement or popularity has reached its zenith.
Examples of heyday in a Sentence
Jay Reddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 July 2025
The United States is now experiencing what the United Kingdom did even in the heyday of its empire.
—Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
On Friday, the younger Williams sister shared a video on social media of her smashing the tennis ball during her heyday.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2025
In the United Kingdom, the tune proved to be a breakout smash for the rising star, quickly soaring to No. 1 on multiple tallies during its initial heyday.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Heyday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heyday. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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