Noel

American  

[noh-el, noh-uhl, nohl] / noʊˈɛl, ˈnoʊ əl, noʊl /

noun

1. Christmas.

2. (lowercase) a Christmas song or carol.

3. a male given name.

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Noel British  

/ nəʊˈɛl /

noun

1. (esp in carols) another word for Christmas

2. rare (often not capital) a Christmas carol

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Usage

What does Noel mean? Noel is another word for Christmas, the Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.Most Christians celebrate the holiday on December 25, but it is celebrated on January 7 in the Orthodox Church due to the use of a different calendar.Christmas is also widely observed in secular (nonreligious) ways. Popular activities include the decoration of a Christmas tree and the exchange of gifts.However, the word Noel is often used in a religious context. It’s possible for people to wish each other a Happy Noel, but the word is perhaps most commonly seen written on things like Christmas cards and decorations.The word can also be used to refer to a Christmas carol or song (in which case it is not capitalized), but is no longer commonly used this way.Fittingly, most people know the word from the popular Christmas carol “The First Noel.”Example: We wish you and your family a joyous Noel!

Etymology

Origin of Noel

First recorded in 1805–15; from French Nöel, ultimately from Latin nātālis (diēs) “birthday”; natal

Example Sentences

Immediately, the stage lights went off, a floodlight illuminated the audience and all audio was cut, except for Noel Gallagher's microphone, allowing him to calmly explain the situation before the band left the stage.

From BBC

But since contracts tied to the VIX expired on Wednesday morning, investors have been reupping their hedges, said Noel Smith, chief investment officer at Convex Asset Management.

From MarketWatch

“Planned shipments are on schedule and the Port of Long Beach remains a safe harbor in the sea of trade and geopolitical uncertainty,” said port CEO Noel Hacegaba.

From MarketWatch

But, speaking to the New York Times in 2011, external, Noel said there were more domestic reasons for his US no-show.

From BBC

Noel commented on how quickly the relationship had developed.

From BBC