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

Thames Water chief executive Chris Weston previously warned that the company only has enough cash to survive till next May but many think it will run out of money by Christmas.

From BBC

A Christmas gift of a chocolate Salisbury Cathedral was also offered from Russia Today.

From BBC

The Carabao Cup quarter-finals are also being played the week before Christmas - and European games continue through December as a result of the new formats.

From BBC

“When you say Christmas, the first thing that typically comes to your mind isn’t strippers,” he quips.

From Los Angeles Times

Then spontaneously one Christmas, while his partner was away visiting family, he went out and bought a pack of bloodhounds.

From BBC