Boxing Day

American

[bok-sing dey] / ˈbɒk sɪŋ ˌdeɪ /

noun

(in the United Kingdom and many other members of the Commonwealth of Nations) the day after Christmas.

Boxing Day British

noun

the first day (traditionally and strictly, the first weekday) after Christmas, observed as a holiday

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Boxing Day

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Boxing Day

However, Root's recent run of leg-before dismissals began when he was trapped by Australia's Jhye Richardson in the second innings of the Boxing Day Test.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

The Boxing Day tragedy was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.

From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026

After claiming a photo-finish victory at Kempton Park on Boxing Day to topple 2024 King George winner Banbridge and 9-4 joint-favourite Gaelic Warrior, Redknapp said: "We've come into the Champions League today."

From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2026

"I cannot begin to describe the anguish and trauma of the events of Boxing Day 2025," he said in a tribute released by Gloucestershire Constabulary.

From BBC ● Jan. 1, 2026

In fact, on Boxing Day it was customary to give the servants the day off, and most household employees considered this the greatest gift of all.

From "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023