holiday

noun hol·i·day \ ˈhä-lə-ˌdā , British usually ˈhä-lə-dē \

Updated on: 10 May 2018

Definition of holiday

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

See holiday defined for English-language learners

See holiday defined for kids

Examples of holiday in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of holiday from the Web

Alpatova was one of around 150 people, mostly Russian, that gathered on Boston Common Saturday to march and sing Russian songs for the holiday commemorating the day the Nazis surrendered to the Soviets in 1945.

— lucas phillips, BostonGlobe.com, "Gathering remembers Russian relatives from World War II," 6 May 2018
Some have started working to place a statue of him in the Capitol, while others are petitioning for a Billy Graham holiday.

— jonathan drew, Fox News, "Franklin Graham book shares lessons from "America's Pastor"," 5 May 2018
The holiday celebrates Mexico's victory over France in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

— brandon griggs, CNN, "Cinco de Mayo isn't Mexican Independence Day. It's also not about mayonnaise," 5 May 2018
However, Rogue One opened in mid-December that year and not during the long Memorial Day weekend when people are often off work and looking for films to go see over the holiday.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "'Solo: A Star Wars Story' Could Set Box Office Records on Opening Weekend," 4 May 2018
The Babylonian fertility goddess Astara gave the holiday its name.

— adam rogers, WIRED, "Star Wars Is Becoming a Religion, and May 4 Is Its Spring Festival," 4 May 2018
That's good news for shoppers looking to squeeze the fruit into margaritas or flavor guacamole for the May 5 holiday.

— marvin g. perez and megan durisin, chicagotribune.com, "Just in time for Cinco De Mayo, price of limes, avocados fall," 4 May 2018
The holiday is primarily celebrated in Puebla, where the 1862 battle took place.

— fiza pirani, ajc, "5 facts about Cinco de Mayo you should know (but probably don’t)," 4 May 2018
Review what the holiday recognizes, then get Reviewed's 10 recipes for the occasion and the scoop on a famous margarita mixer.

— usa today network, USA TODAY, "This week in food and drink: Cinco de Mayo destinations," 4 May 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.

Origin and Etymology of holiday

Middle English, from Old English hāligdæg, from hālig holy + dæg day

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Calendar Terms

antedate, estival, gloaming, luster, sesquicentennial

holiday

verb

Definition of holiday

intransitive verb

: to take or spend a vacation or holiday (see ¹holiday 2) especially in travel or at a resort : vacation

will holiday this year at the shore

—

holidayer

noun

See holiday defined for English-language learners

Examples of holiday in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of holiday from the Web

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
Charles and his sons had been holidaying in Klosters just before the wedding and had posed for the annual photo call with the media, which none of them enjoys.

— penny junor, Vanities, "How Camilla Won Over the Queen and Became the Duchess of Cornwall," 28 Mar. 2018
The couple that holidays together must be real, right?!

— noelle devoe, Seventeen, "A Complete Timeline of Cole Sprouse and Lili Reinhart's Relationship," 9 Mar. 2018
In 2002, the girls were reported to be holidaying in Sardinia with Berlusconi’s daughter Barbara.

— owen matthews, Newsweek, "The Top Secret Family Life of Vladimir Putin," 19 Aug. 2014
Rumours have been flying around regarding Ozil since the summer about a potential new girlfriend on the scene, when the pair were snapped holidaying together, and the latest images confirm those rumours.

— SI.com, "PHOTOS: Arsenal Star Mesut Ozil Confirms New Relationship With Stunning Former Miss Turkey," 17 Dec. 2017
The show features fall and holiday home décor items, accessories and food items.

— laura groch, sandiegouniontribune.com, "North County School News, Sept. 14," 14 Sep. 2017
Costa is currently believed to still be out holidaying in Brazil.

— SI.com, "Diego Costa Moves Family to Madrid in Latest Ploy to Leave Chelsea," 10 Sep. 2017

Origin and Etymology of holiday

see ¹holiday

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1869

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Holiday

biographical name Hol·i·day \ ˈhä-lə-ˌdā \

Definition of Holiday

Eleanora 1915–1959 Billie American jazz singer

HOLIDAY Defined for English Language Learners

holiday

noun

Definition of holiday for English Language Learners

: a special day of celebration : a day when most people do not have to work

holiday

verb

Definition of holiday for English Language Learners

: to spend a holiday in or at a particular place

HOLIDAY Defined for Kids

holiday

noun hol·i·day \ ˈhä-lə-ˌdā \

Definition of holiday for Students

1 : a special day of celebration during which schools and businesses are often closed

2 chiefly British : ¹vacation

Learn More about holiday

See words that rhyme with holiday Spanish Central: Translation of holiday Nglish: Translation of holiday for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of holiday for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about holiday

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holiday

Definition of holiday

Examples of holiday in a Sentence

Recent Examples of holiday from the Web

Origin and Etymology of holiday

Other Calendar Terms

holiday

Definition of holiday

holidayer

Examples of holiday in a Sentence

Recent Examples of holiday from the Web

Origin and Etymology of holiday

Holiday

Definition of Holiday

Phrases Related to HOLIDAY

Related Phrases

HOLIDAY Defined for English Language Learners

holiday

Definition of holiday for English Language Learners

holiday

Definition of holiday for English Language Learners

HOLIDAY Defined for Kids

holiday

Definition of holiday for Students

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