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the interval of light between two successive nights; the time between sunrise and sunset:
Since there was no artificial illumination, all activities had to be carried on during the day.
the light of day; daylight:
The owl sleeps by day and feeds by night.
Astronomy.

Also called mean solar day. a division of time equal to 24 hours and representing the average length of the period during which the earth makes one rotation on its axis.
Also called solar day. a division of time equal to the time elapsed between two consecutive returns of the same terrestrial meridian to the sun.
Also called civil day. a division of time equal to 24 hours but reckoned from one midnight to the next.
Compare lunar day, sidereal day.

an analogous division of time for a planet other than the earth:
the Martian day.
the portion of a day allotted to work:
an eight-hour day.
a day on which something occurs:
the day we met.
(often initial capital letter) a day assigned to a particular purpose or observance:
New Year’s Day.
a time considered as propitious or opportune:
His day will come.
a day of contest or the contest itself:
to win the day.
Often, days. a particular time or period:
the present day; in days of old.
Usually, days. period of life or activity:
His days are numbered.
period of existence, power, or influence:
in the day of the dinosaurs.
Architecture, light1 (def 19a).
call it a day, to stop one’s activity for the day or for the present; quit temporarily:
After rewriting the paper, she decided to call it a day.
day and night. night (def. 11).
day in, day out, every day without fail; regularly:
They endured the noise and dirt of the city day in, day out.
Also, day in and day out.
Benjamin Henry, 1810–89, U.S. newspaper publisher.
Clarence (Shepard)
[shep-erd] /ˈʃɛp ərd/ (Show IPA), 1874–1935, U.S. author.
Dorothy, 1897–1980, U.S. Roman Catholic social activist, journalist, and publisher.
Also, Daye. Stephen, 1594?–1668, U.S. colonist, born in England: considered the first printer in the Colonies.
Contemporary Examples

‘In Cold Blood’ in Ukraine Jamie Dettmer May 2, 2014
How ‘Billy on the Street’ Host Billy Eichner Hit the Mainstream Kevin Fallon February 11, 2013
Lindsay Lohan and Rehab: A Look at Their Long-Term Relationship Rachel Osman July 31, 2013
Mysterious Murder of Bush Official: John P. Wheeler III Found Dead in Delaware Landfill Christine Pelisek, Pat Wingert January 3, 2011
Pro-Anorexia, Thinspirational Images on Pinterest: Threat of Self-Harm Isabel Wilkinson April 1, 2012

Historical Examples

The Imaginary Invalid Molire
Philothea Lydia Maria Child
The Last of the Mohicans James Fenimore Cooper
Philothea Lydia Maria Child
Roden’s Corner Henry Seton Merriman

noun
Also called civil day. the period of time, the calendar day, of 24 hours’ duration reckoned from one midnight to the next

the period of light between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from the night
(as modifier): the day shift

the part of a day occupied with regular activity, esp work: he took a day off
(sometimes pl) a period or point in time: he was a good singer in his day, in days gone by, any day now
the period of time, the sidereal day, during which the earth makes one complete revolution on its axis relative to a particular star. The mean sidereal day lasts 23 hours 56 minutes 4.1 seconds of the mean solar day
the period of time, the solar day, during which the earth makes one complete revolution on its axis relative to the sun. The mean solar day is the average length of the apparent solar day and is some four minutes (3 minutes 56.5 seconds of sidereal time) longer than the sidereal day
the period of time taken by a specified planet to make one complete rotation on its axis: the Martian day
(often capital) a day designated for a special observance, esp a holiday: Christmas Day
all in a day’s work, part of one’s normal activity; no trouble
at the end of the day, in the final reckoning
day of rest, the Sabbath; Sunday
end one’s days, to pass the end of one’s life
every dog has his day, one’s luck will come
in this day and age, nowadays
it’s early days, it’s too early to tell how things will turn out
late in the day

very late (in a particular situation)
too late

that will be the day

I look forward to that
that is most unlikely to happen

a time of success, recognition, power, etc: his day will soon come
a struggle or issue at hand: the day is lost

the ground surface over a mine
(as modifier): the day level

from day to day, without thinking of the future
call it a day, to stop work or other activity
day after day, without respite; relentlessly
day by day, gradually or progressively; daily: he weakened day by day
day in, day out, every day and all day long
from Day 1, from Day One, from the very beginning
one of these days, at some future time
(modifier) of, relating to, or occurring in the day: the day shift
noun
Sir Robin. 1923–2000, British radio and television journalist, noted esp for his political interviews
n.
day
(dā)
See under sidereal time, solar day.

James M. Cox Dayton [OH] International Airport

day after day
day and night
day by day
day in court, have one’s
day in, day out
day off
day to day