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

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

Etymology

Origin of Christmas

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Christmas

"These weren't simply Christmas cards, they were pieces of political campaigning that helped fund one of the most significant social movements in British history," said Matt Case, an antiques specialist.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

Multiple parents recounted a Christmas photo-op in which an ICE agent dressed as Santa Claus shoved away children who tried to hug him, then vanished with his treats the moment the cameras disappeared.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

Burnham also stressed it will be up to local leaders including mayors to drive the action before Christmas.

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

“By Christmas, you could have a company that’s going back into sales growth for the first time in four years.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

I believe I have done enough of that for the whole town, what with Daddy’s dying coming so soon after my brother Zeke’s funeral last Christmas.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan