holiday

¹

[ hol-i-dey ]

noun

1. a day fixed by law or custom on which ordinary business is suspended in commemoration of some event or in honor of some person.
2. any day of exemption from work ( working day ).

   Synonyms: break, vacation

3. a time or period of exemption from any requirement, duty, assessment, etc.:

   New businesses may be granted a one-year tax holiday.

4. a religious feast day; holy day, especially any of several usually commemorative holy days observed in Judaism.
5. Sometimes holidays. Chiefly British. a period of cessation from work or one of recreation; vacation.
6. an unintentional gap left on a plated, coated, or painted surface.

adjective

1. of or relating to a festival; festive; joyous:

   a holiday mood.

2. suitable for a holiday:

   holiday attire.

verb (used without object)

1. Chiefly British. to vacation:

   to holiday at the seaside.

Holiday

²

[ hol-i-dey ]

noun

1. Billie Lady Day, 1915–59, U.S. jazz singer.

Holiday

¹

/ ˈhɒlɪˌdeɪ /

noun

1. HolidayBillie19151959FUSMUSIC: jazz singer Billie. real name Eleanora Fagan; known as Lady Day. 1915–59, US jazz singer

holiday

²

/ -dɪ; ˈhɒlɪˌdeɪ /

noun

1. often plural
   1. a period in which a break is taken from work or studies for rest, travel, or recreation US and Canadian wordvacation
   2. ( as modifier )

      a holiday mood

2. a day on which work is suspended by law or custom, such as a religious festival, bank holiday, etc ferial

verb

1. intr to spend a holiday

Other Words From

• pre·holi·day adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of holiday¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English; Old English hāligdæg; equivalent to holy + day

Word History and Origins

Origin of holiday¹

Old English hāligdæg, literally: holy day

Idioms and Phrases

see busman's holiday .

Example Sentences

At the end of his conference, the sheriff became emotional, saying that his children will be without their father during the holiday season.

From BBC

Suspected methanol poisoning from tainted drinks has reportedly killed five tourists in a Laos holiday town in the past fortnight.

From BBC

Addressing this, the western diplomat told the BBC that it would be hard for people to protect themselves unless they went completely teetotal on holiday, as it is unrealistic for tourists to check the original source of all their alcoholic drinks.

From BBC

Marcus Fakana, of Tottenham, north London, was on holiday with his family when he began a secretive holiday romance in September with another Londoner, who has since turned 18, according to Radha Stirling, of campaign group Detained in Dubai.

From BBC

Savor the unique experience of shopping for holiday gifts in person with our 2024 Los Angeles gift shop guide.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anniversary
• break
• celebration
• feast
• festival
• festivity
• gala
• layoff
• recess
• vacation