Xmas

noun \ ˈkris-məs also ˈeks-məs \

Definition of Xmas

: christmas

See Xmas defined for English-language learners

See Xmas defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of xmas

X (symbol for Christ, from the Greek letter chi (X), initial of Christos Christ) + -mas (in Christmas)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1551

in the meaning defined above

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XMAS Defined for Kids

Xmas

noun \ ˈkri-sməs \

Definition of Xmas for Students

: christmas

History for xmas

Some people dislike the use of Xmas for Christmas, saying it is wrong to take Christ out of Christmas. Really, they are the ones who are wrong, for the X in Xmas stands for the Greek letter chi that looks just like our X and is the first letter of Christ in Greek. For many centuries this letter has been used as an abbreviation and a symbol for Christ.