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

As politicians returned to work this week, and US traders returned on Tuesday from a national holiday, the 30-year gilt rate - the effective interest rate facing the UK government for very long-term borrowing - was heading for highs not seen since the early days of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

From BBC

For example, bank shares fell on suggestions the chancellor would enact a think tank report on windfall taxes, published when she was on holiday, that she has never even read.

From BBC

A programme providing school holiday clubs for thousands of children in Cornwall has been extended.

From BBC

The Time2Move holiday programme supports families with activities and healthy food for children aged between five and 16, and is fully funded for those eligible for benefits-related free school meals, the government has confirmed.

From BBC

We know that school holidays can bring particular challenges for families on lower incomes and children can face triple inequalities of social isolation, poor diet and low levels of physical activity over the holiday periods.

From BBC

Related Words

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