Christmas

noun

Christ·​mas ˈkri-sməs How to pronounce Christmas (audio)
often attributive
1
: a Christian feast on December 25 or among some Eastern Orthodox Christians on January 7 that commemorates the birth of Christ and is usually observed as a legal holiday
2
Christmassy adjective
or Christmasy

Examples of Christmas in a Sentence

We're spending Christmas with my parents. We had a very happy Christmas this year. I wish you all a merry Christmas.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure kick off the Christmas holiday season on Friday, Nov. 15 — the same date Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially opens to the general public in the rethemed Critter Country themed land. Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 12 Nov. 2024 And as for the other lessons that Netflix may have in store for us this Christmas? Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024 The company shows delivery dates after Christmas, between Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. Michael Kan, PCMAG, 11 Nov. 2024 Best Gift for Moms Lismore Christmas Bauble Ornament $200.00 Buy Now Lismore, the most iconic and distinguished of the Waterford patterns, is carefully cut into this crystal bauble ornament. Chloe Castleberry, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Christmas 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Christemasse, from Old English Cristes mæsse, literally, Christ's mass

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Christmas was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near Christmas

Cite this Entry

“Christmas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Christmas. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

Christmas

noun
Christ·​mas ˈkris-məs How to pronounce Christmas (audio)
1
: December 25 celebrated in honor of the birth of Christ
2

More from Merriam-Webster on Christmas

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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