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. Chiefly British.,  Sometimes holidays. 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

/ -dɪ, ˈhɒlɪˌdeɪ /

noun

1. (often plural)

   1. US and Canadian word: vacation. a period in which a break is taken from work or studies for rest, travel, or recreation

   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

verb

1. (intr) to spend a holiday

Holiday

²

/ ˈhɒlɪˌdeɪ /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• preholiday 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

The least concerned were consumers in the Northeast, where only 6% said price increases would result in cutting back on holiday spending.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

California is the third state, following Pennsylvania and Connecticut, to officially recognize the holiday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This year, for instance, one can visit the park in early November at that rate in the days between the resort’s Halloween and holidays celebrations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Candy’s films continue to play on television and streaming — both “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” and “Home Alone” have become year-end holiday staples.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The military attacked on Monday evening as around 100 people gathered in Chaung U township in central Myanmar for a national holiday.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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