national holiday

noun

1. a holiday that is observed throughout a nation.
2. a holiday that is legally established by a national government rather than by a municipal or state government.

Word History and Origins

Origin of national holiday¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Example Sentences

It was timed to fall between a national holiday and the weekend, on a day that many people in South Korea planned to take as vacation.

From New York Times

President Richard Nixon made Father’s Day a national holiday in 1972.

From Seattle Times

The vast majority of the nearly 28 million registered voters in the country of 62 million are expected to go to the polls across South Africa’s nine provinces on Wednesday, which is a national holiday.

From Seattle Times

Dozens of children and adults also competed in safer and slower, but no less grueling, uphill versions of the race, which are traditionally held on a late-May national holiday.

From Seattle Times

“This show of unity led to a surge in the popularity of independence day and other national holidays, with celebrations becoming even more vibrant and patriotic.”

From BBC