hol·i·day
ˈhä-lə-ˌdā 
British usually ˈhä-lə-dē
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 pluralspent the summer holidays in Spain
4
: a period of exemption or relief
corporations enjoying a tax holiday
holidayed; holidaying; holidays
: 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
holidayer
noun
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
Sacbee.com, 5 July 2025
Store hours vary by location, so check with your local store regarding its specific holiday hours.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 5 July 2025
Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Telemundo has access through NBC to holiday favorite specials such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Christmas in Rockefeller Center, not to mention NFL games.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for holiday
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Independence Day at Sutter Health Park Fans in attendance weren’t treated to a competitive contest on the field — but did enjoy near-perfect baseball weather with temperatures settling into the 70s, plus a postgame fireworks show to mark the Fourth of July holiday.
—Sacbee.com, 5 July 2025
Store hours vary by location, so check with your local store regarding its specific holiday hours.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 5 July 2025
Verb
The pair have just wrapped up a domestic treble-winning season together in Flick’s maiden term manning the dugout, and while Lamine is currently holidaying in Brazil with former Barca winger Neymar, Flick interrupted his own vacation to reflect on some key topics.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Telemundo has access through NBC to holiday favorite specials such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Christmas in Rockefeller Center, not to mention NFL games.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for holiday
Cite this Entry
“Holiday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holiday. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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