plural Xmases
informal
: christmas
I don't expect to get away for Xmas.—
Alexander Woollcott
Alexander WoollcottLester was carrying boxes marked Xmas from the corner of the garage to the truck.—Gloria Naylor
—now used chiefly for brevity in advertisements, headlines, etc.
Gloria Naylor
Examples of Xmas in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Melania can plant some of her red Xmas trees in it.
—Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023
Also, Xmas singles from Kelly Clarkson, Andy Williams, The Ronettes, Band Aid, Sia, John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band and Burl Ives impact the top 40.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 28 Dec. 2022
Fort Lauderdale yoga instructor-influencer Lisa Pumper (still not convinced that’s her real name) will lead her annual Xmas Day Beach Yoga Flow at 9 a.m. Sunday on Fort Lauderdale beach, south of Sunrise Boulevard between lifeguard stands No. 12 and 13.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 22 Dec. 2022
Food specials include Jingle Ball Meatballs and 12 Days of Xmas Flatbread.
—Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 9 Dec. 2022
Apparently Lou Reed's RCA demos from 1971 were dumped on Apple Music in Europe on Xmas Eve.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 3 Jan. 2022
For protection against elves, reindeer, children who take a peek on Xmas eve?
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 6 Dec. 2021
Another Xmas delight being released the very next day is Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas which is music to the ears of anyone else who was a fan of Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist that got cancelled after two seasons.
—Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 28 Nov. 2021
Watched Dawkins' Xmas lectures as a child then started paying attention to the man behind the curtain.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 31 Dec. 2010
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Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023
Also, Xmas singles from Kelly Clarkson, Andy Williams, The Ronettes, Band Aid, Sia, John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band and Burl Ives impact the top 40.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 28 Dec. 2022
Fort Lauderdale yoga instructor-influencer Lisa Pumper (still not convinced that’s her real name) will lead her annual Xmas Day Beach Yoga Flow at 9 a.m. Sunday on Fort Lauderdale beach, south of Sunrise Boulevard between lifeguard stands No. 12 and 13.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 22 Dec. 2022
Food specials include Jingle Ball Meatballs and 12 Days of Xmas Flatbread.
—Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 9 Dec. 2022
Apparently Lou Reed's RCA demos from 1971 were dumped on Apple Music in Europe on Xmas Eve.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 3 Jan. 2022
For protection against elves, reindeer, children who take a peek on Xmas eve?
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 6 Dec. 2021
Another Xmas delight being released the very next day is Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas which is music to the ears of anyone else who was a fan of Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist that got cancelled after two seasons.
—Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 28 Nov. 2021
Watched Dawkins' Xmas lectures as a child then started paying attention to the man behind the curtain.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 31 Dec. 2010
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Xmas.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
X (symbol for Christ, from the Greek letter chi (X), initial of Christos Christ) + -mas (in Christmas)
First Known Use
1721, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near Xmas
Cite this Entry
“Xmas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Xmas. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
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