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

U.K. consumer sentiment slipped in November, with households tightening the purse strings ahead of the budget and a crucial holiday season for retailers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While shoppers have been gearing up for the holiday season and making lists of potential gifts, Wall Street has been growing wary.

Read more on MarketWatch

Ross enters the holiday season with “strong momentum” and ready to offer “a compelling merchandise assortment across all our stores,” Chief Executive Jim Conroy said in a statement.

Read more on MarketWatch

Mr. Desplechin takes a quick-cutting, kaleidoscopic approach to this domestic epic, and evokes in richly melodramatic style the feeling of passing the holidays with extended family.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The most immediate conclusion is that it might be OK to stop agonizing about skipping that long haul to Dubuque this holiday season.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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