Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

Boxing Day

American  
[bok-sing dey] / ˈbɒk sɪŋ ˌdeɪ /

noun

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


Boxing Day British  

noun

  1. 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.

Much of Aceh already had to be reconstructed with international assistance after 2004's Boxing Day tsunami, which killed more than 170,000 people in the province alone.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

And so the tradition has continued and on Boxing Day last year, Clarke was hunting for the beads, but she spotted an altogether very different looking fossil amongst the pebbles on the beach.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

On Boxing Day, Sir Keir said he was "delighted" the activist had arrived in the UK and had been "reunited with his loved ones" following his release from an Egyptian jail.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2026

From the slogs in Perth, the wild drive in Brisbane, the reverse sweep in Adelaide or his Boxing Day bash, the England batter has been the most discussed touring player throughout this Ashes series.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2026

But when the sun finally dared to rise on this particular Boxing Day morning, all such hopes were dashed.

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

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "Boxing Day" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com