Holiday Definition & Meaning

American

British

Idioms

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms 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.

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.

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

"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

verb

1. (intr) to spend a holiday

"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 Holiday 2 British / ˈhɒlɪˌdeɪ /

noun

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

"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 holiday Idioms

1. see busman's holiday.

Other Word Forms

• preholiday adjective

Etymology

Origin of holiday

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

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.

Later Christopher flew to the UK to spend time with his new family, and even joined them on holiday.

From BBC

He has also treated himself to a new car and is planning a bucket list holiday, while also considering buying a share of a racehorse to make going to the races "even more special".

From BBC

Walking along the granite-fronted residential streets near the seafront, it is noticeable how many have holiday let signs outside, with names like 'Benjamin's Bolthole' and 'Vitamyn Sea', along with the letting agent details.

From BBC

A council is expected to approve plans to provide supermarket vouchers during the school holidays to families receiving free school meals.

From BBC

Economists at DBS expect continued double-digit export growth in February, despite fewer working days due to the Lunar New Year holiday.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.