Christmas

noun

Christ·​mas ˈkri-sməs 

often attributive

1

: a Christian feast on December 25 or among some Eastern Orthodox Christians on January 7 that commemorates the birth of Christ and is usually observed as a legal holiday

2

: christmastide

Christmassy adjective

or Christmasy

ˈkri-smə-sē 

Examples of Christmas in a Sentence

We're spending Christmas with my parents.

We had a very happy Christmas this year.

I wish you all a merry Christmas.

Recent Examples on the Web

There is no doubt Leoni, who turns 19 shortly before Christmas, is a raw prospect, but the talent is obvious. —Andy Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025

Many of his workers rotate to different industries after the season is over, including making Christmas wreaths. —David Culver, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025

Job cuts this year have already surpassed all of 2024, according to career services firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. —Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

The Super Bowl winner first mentioned Brittani publicly when speaking on The Pat McAfee Show in December 2024, casually mentioning her while talking about Christmas shopping. —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Christemasse, from Old English Cristes mæsse, literally, Christ's mass

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Christmas

• a white Christmas
• Christmas berry
• Christmas cactus
• Christmas cake
• Christmas card
• Christmas carol
• Christmas club
• Christmas cracker
• Christmas Day
• Christmas disease
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas factor
• Christmas fern
• Christmas ornament
• Christmas pudding
• Christmas rose
• Christmas season
• Christmas stocking
• Christmas tree
• Father Christmas
• Merry Christmas
• Old Christmas
• pre-Christmas

Rhymes for Christmas

• isthmus

Kids Definition

Christmas

noun

Christ·​mas ˈkris-məs 

1

: December 25 celebrated in honor of the birth of Christ

2

: christmastime