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

Three-liter boxes are great for big outdoor celebrations, such as family reunions or holiday barbecues, as well as for summer travels by RV or sailboat. — Marnie Old, https://www.inquirer.com, "On sale at the Pa. state stores: Wine in a box that’s actually good," 4 June 2019 Lots of shops run of out of doughnuts quickly, and not just the free ones The best holiday in Indianapolis, after the Indy 500, is National Doughnut Day. — Liz Biro, Indianapolis Star, "Where to get free doughnuts in Indianapolis for National Doughnut Day," 4 June 2019 Alabama marks that occasion every year with an official state holiday. — Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al.com, "Jefferson Davis birthday is state holiday in Alabama: What’s open, what’s closed today," 3 June 2019 The 354-58 vote came on the first day lawmakers returned from a holiday recess. — Tal Kopan, SFChronicle.com, "House sends long-stalled California wildfire relief to Trump," 3 June 2019 The vote came as lawmakers returned to Washington after the Memorial Day holiday recess. — Rebecca Shabad, NBC News, "House passes $19 billion disaster relief bill," 3 June 2019 Once a popular holiday destination, Mosney, which used to contain an amusement park, fell into disrepair by the end of the past century. — Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, "Ireland’s Strange, Cruel System for Asylum Seekers," 26 May 2019 There's a holiday for everything these days and who doesn't love that? — Sophia Caraballo, Woman's Day, "Häagen-Dazs Is Giving Away Free Ice Cream on May 14," 1 May 2019 This December, many will be enduring their first holidays without family. — Garance Burke, The Seattle Times, "AP Investigation: Migrant kids held in mass shelters," 19 Dec. 2018

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.