yuletide

noun

yule·​tide ˈyül-ˌtīd 

variants or less commonly Yuletide

plural yuletides also Yuletides

: the Christmas season : christmastide

families gathering at yuletide

Come Yuletide, the balsam fir is a prime choice for the role of Christmas tree.

—Neal Clark

—often used before another noun

the yuletide season

yuletide celebrations

Synonyms of yuletide

• Christmas

Examples of yuletide in a Sentence

these days, as far as the stores are concerned, yuletide starts in September

Recent Examples on the Web

Publishing people used to corner the market on yuletide bacchanals. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025

Be sure to catch Nantucket’s annual Christmas Stroll complete with a tree lighting on Main Street, caroling, historic house tours, and plenty of food and shopping to fuel your yuletide cheer. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2025

Nothing says yuletide cheer like a pop-up holiday bar, and the Bay Area is packed with them. —Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025

Ripa rang in the festive season alongside husband Mark Consuelos and interview guest Sebastian Maniscalco, with the trio exchanging yuletide memories before Ripa let a curse word slip on the broadcast. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for yuletide

• actinide
• aldehyde
• alkoxide
• alongside
• amplified
• arsenide
• beautified
• biocide
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide
• certified

Kids Definition

yuletide

noun

yule·​tide ˈyü(ə)l-ˌtīd 

often capitalized

: the Christmas season