Christmas

[ kris-muhs ]

noun

1. the annual festival of the Christian church commemorating the birth of Jesus: celebrated on December 25 and now generally observed as a legal holiday and, for many, an occasion for exchanging gifts.
2. Christmastime.
3. Christmastide.

adjective

1. of or relating to Christmas; made or displayed for Christmas: a Christmas movie for the whole family.

   six batches of Christmas cookies;

   a Christmas movie for the whole family.

Christmas

/ ˈkrɪsməs /

noun

1. 1. the annual commemoration by Christians of the birth of Jesus Christ on Dec 25
   2. Also calledChristmas Day Dec 25, observed as a day of secular celebrations when gifts and greetings are exchanged
   3. ( as modifier )

      Christmas celebrations

2. Also calledChristmas Day (in England, Wales and Ireland) Dec 25, one of the four quarter days Compare Lady Day Midsummer's Day Michaelmas
3. Also calledChristmastide the season of Christmas extending from Dec 24 (Christmas Eve) to Jan 6 (the festival of the Epiphany or Twelfth Night)

Christmas

1. A festival commemorating the birth of Jesus , traditionally celebrated on December 25 by most Western Christian churches . Although dating to probably as early as a.d. 200, the feast of Christmas did not become widespread until the Middle Ages . Today, Christmas is largely secularized and dominated by gifts, decorated trees, and a jolly Santa Claus.

Other Words From

• Christ·mas·sy Christ·mas·y adjective
• post-Christ·mas adjective
• pre-Christ·mas adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Christmas¹

First recorded before 1050; Middle English cristmas(se); Old English Cristes mǣsse Mass of Christ

Word History and Origins

Origin of Christmas¹

Old English Crīstes mæsse Mass of Christ

Example Sentences

In the wee hours of Christmas morning, a flight deal was shared in an exclusive Facebook group for urban travelers.

From The Daily Beast

Plenty of Jewish kids today grow up with a Christmas tree next to their menorah.

From The Daily Beast

This is the first Christmas I can remember when the news was all about cops and race.

From The Daily Beast

So this is Christmas, as the song goes, and what have we done?

From The Daily Beast

And that was well before this Christmas, when he appeared to joke about Obama being a Muslim.

From The Daily Beast

He staggered along with much difficulty and managed to complete half of it by Christmas.

From Project Gutenberg

He was released soon after Christmas, and another Vicar filleth his place.

From Project Gutenberg

And when cool silence came again, Hugh begged that the two would have their Christmas Eve dinner with him, at his hotel.

From Project Gutenberg

She looked radiantly beautiful, and as happy as if her soul were singing a Christmas Carol.

From Project Gutenberg

"She's given me the pleasure of making Christmas come all over again, to-morrow, that's all," said Hugh.

From Project Gutenberg