Father Christmas

American

noun

British.

Santa Claus.

Father Christmas British

noun

another name for Santa Claus

"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 Father Christmas

First recorded in 1650–60

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.

When Father Christmas visited Derby, he hoped to spread festive joy by meeting children at a shopping centre.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026

A Father Christmas figure is pictured looking pained in the water at the foot of a rock.

From Barron's • Nov. 19, 2025

What makes her laugh, though, is remembering a complaint from a furious mum who accused her of ruining her daughter's childhood because one of her books implied that 11-year-olds no longer believe in Father Christmas.

From BBC • Aug. 27, 2025

Father Christmas was announced to guests by an elf - the couple's youngest son.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2025

Mary Poppins then had a great argument with Father Christmas over a cake of soap.

From "Mary Poppins" by P. L. Travers

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