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

Denzel Washington will celebrate more than just the holidays this December.

From Los Angeles Times

The film is a bewitching spectacle, a classic holiday season event movie that brims with enough earnestness to keep even its fluffiest moments from becoming corny intellectual property slop.

From Salon

This marks the highest rate of food insecurity in almost a decade, underscoring the growing pressures on American families, especially going into the holiday season.

From Salon

Maybe you’re planning a wedding, a large family gathering or just want to go all-out for the holidays.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s partly what drew him to holiday movies like “The Merry Gentlemen” and Hallmark’s “Write Before Christmas,” “Love in Winterland” and “Road to Christmas.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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