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.

David, from Caerleon, Newport, described his father as a "lovely", "colourful character" and "well respected", saying his large beard meant "everyone saw him as kind of a Father Christmas lookalike".

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

Further requirements for the Father Christmas role generally include infinite patience, an ability to improvise, and tolerance for repetition.

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025

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

From Barron's • Nov. 19, 2025

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

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2025

But at last they found themselves alongside Father Christmas, who went to the greatest trouble in helping them choose their presents.

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