holiday

¹ American  

[hol-i-dey] / ˈhɒl ɪˌdeɪ /

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.

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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 American  

[hol-i-dey] / ˈhɒl ɪˌdeɪ /

noun

1. Billie Lady Day, 1915–59, U.S. jazz singer.

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holiday ¹ British  

/ -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

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verb

1. (intr) to spend a holiday

Holiday ² British  

/ ˈhɒlɪˌdeɪ /

noun

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

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holiday Idioms  

1. see busman's holiday.

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Other Word Forms

• preholiday adjective

Etymology

Origin of holiday

First recorded before 950; Middle English; Old English hāligdæg; equivalent to holy + day

Example Sentences

The BBC also spoke to a woman who said she knew Ruben through fundraising for the Stathern Children Holiday Fund, which helped children who would not otherwise get a holiday to attend the summer camp.

From BBC

World Cup travel and key holidays landing near weekends should spur further demand.

From Barron's

Japanese markets are closed on Wednesday for a national holiday.

From The Wall Street Journal

The judge told Cristiano: "She doesn't feel comfortable flying and travelling alone any more. She had planned another holiday this year but she doesn't want to go on it any more."

From BBC

The analysts expect some profit-taking in the chip sector ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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