Xmas

noun

ˈkris-məs 

also

ˈeks-məs 

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.

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

Kids Definition

Xmas

noun

ˈkris-məs 

also

ˈek-sməs 

informal

: christmas

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"