holiday

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

|Updated on: 16 Aug 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

Dayana said the shelter celebrated the Fourth of July holiday, and the youths went outside to watch a nearby fireworks show.

— New York Times, "‘It’s Like Each Day Is a Year’: A Migrant Mother’s Wait for a Reunion," 13 July 2018
The market celebrates the holiday with crafts, music, and a children's parade around the grounds.

— dennis hohenberger, Courant Community, "Farmers Market Celebrates 4th Of July," 11 July 2018
On June 16, 26 people were killed in an attack on one gathering in the Rodat district, where Taliban and local leaders were celebrating the Eid holiday that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

— Washington Post, "Spate of attacks in eastern Afghanistan marks push by Islamic State militants," 11 July 2018
On June 16, 26 people were killed in an attack on one gathering in the Rodat district, where Taliban and local leaders were celebrating the Eid holiday that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

— sayed salahuddin, BostonGlobe.com, "Spate of attacks in eastern Afghanistan marks push by Islamic State militants," 11 July 2018
Teenagers constantly roll around in old-fashioned roller skates and drink openly in bars; the town celebrates a holiday to commemorate a Confederate wife raped by Union soldiers during the Civil War.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "Review: Amy Adams' 'Sharp Objects' needs to be sharper to make its point," 5 July 2018
While celebrating the July 4 holiday, the rapper (whose real name is Chancelor Jonathan Bennett) popped the question to his long-time girlfriend Kirsten Corley.

— lexy perez, The Hollywood Reporter, "Chance the Rapper Engaged to Longtime Girlfriend Kirsten Corley," 5 July 2018
The route through Old Town Lenexa was lined with community members celebrating the holiday.

— cortlynn stark, hana muslic, katie bernard and edward mckinley, kansascity, "From Prairie Village to Parkville, KC area celebrates the Fourth," 4 July 2018
According to the National Fire Protection Association, thousands around the country, most often children and teens, are injured while celebrating the July 4 holiday.

— jason duaine hahn, PEOPLE.com, "NFL Star Jason Pierre-Paul Shares Gruesome Hand Injury Photos to Warn Others About Firework Safety," 4 July 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

holidayed; holidaying; holidays

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

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
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

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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