Christmas

American  

[kris-muhs] / ˈkrɪs məs /

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 British  

/ ˈkrɪsməs /

noun

1. 1. the annual commemoration by Christians of the birth of Jesus Christ on Dec 25

   2. Also called: Christmas Day.  Dec 25, observed as a day of secular celebrations when gifts and greetings are exchanged

   3. ( as modifier )

      Christmas celebrations

2. Also called: Christmas Day.  (in England, Wales and Ireland) Dec 25, one of the four quarter days Compare Lady Day Midsummer's Day Michaelmas

3. Also called: Christmastide.  the season of Christmas extending from Dec 24 (Christmas Eve) to Jan 6 (the festival of the Epiphany or Twelfth Night)

---

Christmas Cultural  

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.

---

Usage

Spelling tips for Christmas The word Christmas is hard to spell for two reasons. The letters ch- often make a [ ch ] sound, but in Christmas they represent a [ k ] sound. Also, there is only one s at the end, even though mass is typically spelled with a double s. As a final note, Christmas is a proper noun, and therefore the first letter is always capitalized. How to spell Christmas: Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ (also known as Jesus). Christ was a humble man, so he only needs one s at the end of his birthday (-mas).

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Christmasy
  adjective
• pre-Christmas
  adjective
• post-Christmas
  adjective
• Christmassy
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Christmas

First recorded before 1050; Middle English cristmas(se); Old English Cristes mǣsse Mass of Christ

Example Sentences

And a recent report by outplacement and executive-coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas predicts it will fall again this summer to a record low.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

After 900 gifts and nearly $15,000 were donated, the organization provided Christmas gifts to over 130 families.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

U.S.-based employers announced 97,006 job cuts in May with technology remaining the leading sector for staff reductions, according to a report from global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

The rampage stunned Germany and provoked a heated nationwide debate about security around Christmas markets, a beloved seasonal German tradition.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

It was hard to feel festive that Christmas.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo