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

Intel has clearly struggled in its shift to 10nm processors, which are several years late and aren’t expected to launch until the holiday season. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Intel makes Bob Swan its permanent CEO, maintaining a slow, steady course away from the PC," 31 Jan. 2019 The holiday season is a time to reflect on new blessings and look back on how our lives have changed over the past year. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Kylie Jenner Legit Couldn't Get Out of Her Christmas Eve Party Dress," 26 Dec. 2018 Just in time for holiday shopping: a biography of the fascinating Josephine Baker, a radio host turned underground renegade and more. — Moira Macdonald, The Seattle Times, "Paperback Picks: books by Kevin Kwan, Bill McKibben and Sherry Jones," 12 Dec. 2018 And this year, Netflix added a royal sequel and two new stories to its holiday collection: A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding, The Princess Switch, and The Holiday Calendar. — Kelsea Stahler, Teen Vogue, "Netflix Original Christmas Movies: A Guide to the Cheesy Holiday Flicks," 11 Dec. 2018 That’s right, it’s Cyber Monday, and that means even more chances to save on your holiday shopping. — Chaim Gartenberg, The Verge, "Cyber Monday 2018: the best tech deals," 26 Nov. 2018 Jenner's third annual holiday collection launches on November 19 on KylieCosmetics.com. — Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kylie Jenner Just Revealed Her Kylie Cosmetics 2018 Holiday Collection," 14 Nov. 2018 Brazil’s stock market was closed for a public holiday. — Jeffrey T. Lewis, WSJ, "Around 200 People Missing, Seven Dead, After Dam Bursts in Brazil," 25 Jan. 2019 From timeless classics to brand-new tracks, here's your ultimate playlist for the holiday. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "46 Valentine's Day Songs For Every Kind of Relationship," 25 Jan. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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 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

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.