Saturday

noun

Sat·​ur·​day ˈsa-tər-(ˌ)dā How to pronounce Saturday (audio)
-dē
: the seventh day of the week
Saturdays
ˈsa-tər-(ˌ)dāz How to pronounce Saturday (audio) -dēz How to pronounce Saturday (audio)
adverb

Examples of Saturday in a Sentence

He will arrive next Saturday. His birthday falls on a Saturday this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Democratic National Committee is expected to vote on Saturday to approve the new order of states for the 2028 presidential nominating process as progressives and moderates grapple over the party's direction in the midterms. — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 Another round of showers is possible Saturday evening, but there will be plenty of dry time in between. — Adam Del Rosso, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 The flood threat should ease somewhat Saturday but won’t disappear. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 That was the emotional dawn to follow Wednesday’s darkest hour, but before a new League One campaign beginning away to Leyton Orient tomorrow (Saturday), the enormity of the rebuild has become clear. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Saturday

Word History

Etymology

Middle English saterday, from Old English sæterndæg (akin to Old Frisian sāterdei), from Latin Saturnus Saturn + Old English dæg day

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Saturday was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing Saturday

Browse Nearby Words

saturator
Saturday
Saturday night special
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Saturday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Saturday. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Saturday

noun
Sat·​ur·​day ˈsat-ərd-ē How to pronounce Saturday (audio)
: the seventh day of the week
Etymology

Old English sæterndæg, literally, "Saturn's day," derived from Latin Saturnus "Saturn"

Word Origin
Several of the days of the week, such as Tuesday and Wednesday, get their English names from Germanic gods, but Saturday gets its name from a Roman one. Saturnus was the name of an important Roman god of agriculture, known in English as Saturn. The Old English word sæterndæg, "Saturn's day," came originally from the god's Latin name. The modern English Saturday comes from the Old English sæterndæg.
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