dryday

Dryday is a term used to describe a day on which the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages is restricted or prohibited by law or regulation. Dry days are typically declared by government authorities for purposes of public order, health, or morality, and they commonly occur on election days, during major religious or national holidays, or on other public observances. The exact rules and exemptions vary by country and jurisdiction; some places ban all alcohol while others restrict to on-premise sales or to certain hours. In India, the concept of a dry day is widespread, with elections and certain festivals frequently designated as dry days, though exemptions may apply for hotels, clubs, or travelers depending on state law.

In addition to public policy usage, the term "dry day" can also refer to a personal abstinence practice: a day on which an individual chooses not to drink alcohol, as part of health or sobriety programs. Popular campaigns such as Dry January or other monthly or weekly challenges use the idea of a dry day as a building block toward longer periods of abstinence.

The phrase can thus denote either a legally imposed day with restricted alcohol access or a personal commitment to abstain from drinking, and its precise meaning is determined by context.