plural Xmases
informal
: christmas
I don't expect to get away for Xmas.Alexander Woollcott
Lester 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.

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 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of Xmas was in 1721

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.

Kids Definition

Etymology

from X, a symbol for Jesus Christ, and -mas, from Christmas; the X is from the Greek letter X "chi," the first letter in the Greek word Christos "Christ"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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