Boxing Day

American  

[bok-sing dey] / ˈbɒk sɪŋ ˌdeɪ /

noun

1. (in the United Kingdom and many other members of the Commonwealth of Nations) the day after Christmas.

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Boxing Day British  

noun

1. the first day (traditionally and strictly, the first weekday) after Christmas, observed as a holiday

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Etymology

Origin of Boxing Day

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Much of Aceh already had to be reconstructed with international assistance after 2004's Boxing Day tsunami, which killed more than 170,000 people in the province alone.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Organisers of some Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall had postponed or cancelled events due to a yellow weather warning for wind.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

From the slogs in Perth, the wild drive in Brisbane, the reverse sweep in Adelaide or his Boxing Day bash, the England batter has been the most discussed touring player throughout this Ashes series.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2026

Amorim changed the system to four at the back for the victory over Newcastle on Boxing Day but reverted to a back three for subsequent games, including at Leeds.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2026

Perhaps Lady Constance had secretly planned to declare Boxing Day a day off for the servants of Ashton Place.

From "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood