holiday

noun

hol·i·day | \ ˈhä-lə-ˌdā

, British usually ˈhä-lə-dē\

Definition of holiday

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : holy day an important Muslim holiday

2 : a day on which one is exempt from work specifically : a day marked by a general suspension of work in commemoration of an event will be closed for the July 4th holiday a national holiday plans for the holiday weekend

3 chiefly British : vacation —often used in the phrase on holiday going on holiday —often used in plural spent the summer holidays in Spain

4 : a period of exemption or relief corporations enjoying a tax holiday

holiday

verb

holidayed; holidaying; holidays

Definition of holiday (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to take or spend a vacation or holiday (see holiday entry 1 sense 2) especially in travel or at a resort : vacation will holiday this year at the shore

Holiday

biographical name

Hol·i·day | \ ˈhä-lə-ˌdā

Definition of Holiday (Entry 3 of 3)

Eleanora 1915–1959 Billie American jazz singer

Other Words from holiday Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about holiday

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Synonyms for holiday

Synonyms: Noun

break, hols [British], leave, recess, vacation

Synonyms: Verb

vacation

Examples of holiday in a Sentence

Noun

July 4 is a national holiday in the U.S. The stock market is closed tomorrow because it's a holiday. She'll have four weeks' holiday next year. We're planning on taking a holiday in the Caribbean.

Verb

She likes holidaying in the Caribbean. saw kangaroos while holidaying in Australia

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Target is launching a new loyalty program nationwide in October in an aim to reward its most fervent customers and reel in shoppers just in time for the holiday shopping season. — Alyssa Newcomb, NBC News, "How Target's new loyalty program could change family shopping habits," 10 Sep. 2019 Summer just ended, but seasonal hiring is already at hand, with Target and UPS detailing plans to add a combined 230,000 workers for the upcoming holiday season. — Kate Gibson, CBS News, "Target and UPS hiring more than 230,000 workers for holidays," 10 Sep. 2019 More than 40% of those employees stayed on with Target past the holiday season, according to the company. — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, "Target is hiring 130,000 temp workers for the holidays," 10 Sep. 2019 In addition to the permanent, full-time positions, Amazon is also hiring tens of thousands of seasonal roles for its operations network to meet increased demand for the holiday season. — Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, "Amazon hiring 30,000 people at Sept. 17 job fairs: Where is the closest event?," 9 Sep. 2019 Any new iPhones that Apple shows off will be on sale in time for the end-of-the year Christmas and holiday shopping season, which includes Apple biggest revenue quarter of the year. — Rex Crum, The Mercury News, "IPhones, Apple TV+ believed to be in spotlight at Apple’s Tuesday event," 9 Sep. 2019 And the hiring spree is not related to the usual increase in hiring it does to prepare for the busy holiday shopping season. — Joseph Pisani, chicagotribune.com, "Amazon Career Day: Job fairs in Chicago, 5 other cities as online giant seeks to hire 30,000 nationwide," 9 Sep. 2019 To celebrate the upcoming holiday season, Halford will be releasing a festive-themed album, Celestial, out Oct. 18 via Legacy Recordings. — Rania Aniftos, Billboard, "Rob Halford Announces Holiday Album, 'Celestial'," 6 Sep. 2019 The holiday season is a time to dust off the ornament boxes and trim the tree (or trees!) in your home. — Country Living, "The History of the Christmas Tree Goes Back Farther Than You Might Realize," 4 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

According to the Sun, the Derby County manager, who has been holidaying in France with his family, is set to meet Roman Abramovich on his yacht in St Tropez this week for contractual talks. — SI.com, "Chelsea to Offer Frank Lampard 3-Year Contract as Talks With Roman Abramovich Begin," 18 June 2019 The couple that holidays together must be real, right?! — Noelle Devoe, Seventeen, "A Complete Timeline of Cole Sprouse and Lili Reinhart's Relationship," 30 July 2018 The couple that holidays together must be real, right?! — Noelle Devoe, Seventeen, "A Complete Timeline of Cole Sprouse and Lili Reinhart's Relationship," 30 July 2018 Steve Paikin, a television host, told his fellow Canadians to holiday elsewhere. — The Economist, "To resist Trump, Canadians try local ketchup," 5 July 2018 Shaw caused outrage this week when a picture of him holidaying in Ibiza appeared across social media. — SI.com, "Luke Shaw Determined to Prove Doubters Wrong as He Enters Final Year of Man Utd Contract," 1 July 2018 The hot weather likely drew a few pesky and uninvited guests to holiday picnics this past weekend. — Suzanne Baker, Naperville Sun, "It's time to start thinking about mosquito deterrents," 29 May 2018 He was also mocked for dressing his family in Bollywood garb on a trip to India, and holidaying on a private Caribbean island. — The Economist, "Anti-elitist politicians in Canada are courting immigrants," 19 Apr. 2018 Damon and Hemsworth are no strangers to holidaying together. — Alexia Fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "Chris Hemsworth and Matt Damon Celebrate Easter Together with Their Families in Australia," 2 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'holiday.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.