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

Australia Day - a national holiday on 26 January - marks the 1788 landing of Britain's First Fleet in Sydney Cove and the start of colonisation.

From BBC

Epstein, who was in France, emailed Mandelson and said: "I do not have a visa for Russia, it is a bank holiday in paris today... any ideas how i can get one."

From BBC

We were open on the Sabbath, and on most Jewish holidays.

From Literature

But Togbe took me to the creek that first afternoon of the holidays.

From Literature

The first month of the year is usually a tough one for dealers as households rein in spending following the holidays.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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