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 More Example Sentences Learn More about holiday

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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

The model was spending the holiday with her family relaxing on a boat. — Avery Matera, Teen Vogue, "Kendall Jenner Wore Black Lingerie as a Bathing Suit Cover-Up," 6 July 2018 Kardashian West spent the holiday relaxing on a boat in an unknown location. — Jodi Guglielmi, PEOPLE.com, "Kim Kardashian West Tries Wakeboarding for the First Time: 'This Is Way Harder Than It Looks!'," 5 July 2018 More Americans plan to spend their Fourth of July holiday at a cookout, barbecue or picnic than plan to see fireworks or go to a parade, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual Independence Day survey. — Jennifer Mcclellan, ajc, "6 colorful Fourth of July recipes to make your party sparkle," 4 July 2018 Whether spending the holiday at a friend's beach bungalow, or ping-ponging between rooftop barbecues, the best way to kick off the Independence Day celebration is by showering your host with something special. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "13 Last-Minute Hostess Gifts for the Beauty Lover at Heart," 25 June 2018 Her brothers and sisters were gathering at her house in Lagos before driving six hours east to spend the holidays with their parents in Abba. — Larissa Macfarquhar, The New Yorker, "Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Comes to Terms with Global Fame," 28 May 2018 In New Jersey, according to the state Board of Public Utilities rules, residential service cannot be shut off on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays; holidays or the day before; or if there is a medical emergency in the household. — New York Times, "‘Totally Preventable’: How a Sick Woman Lost Electricity, and Her Life," 13 July 2018 But if a reason is a must, then celebrating National Ice Cream Day is the answer. Sunday, July 15, marks the annual holiday, and several Louisville parlors are getting in on the fun with discounts on scoops, cones and shakes. — Bailey Loosemore, The Courier-Journal, "Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with deals at these Louisville shops," 13 July 2018 Malala has made a habit of ringing in her birthdays — made an annual global holiday, Malala Day, in 2013 by the United Nations — by embarking on charitable missions. — Andrea Park, Teen Vogue, "Malala Yousafzai Joins Instagram on Her 21st Birthday," 12 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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

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.