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
Synonyms
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
Molly Higgins, WIRED, 23 Nov. 2024
Visitors were treated to music from community choirs, dance groups, Christmas characters and holiday cheer.
—J.t. Wampler, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024
Isaac Bickerstaff, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2024
The two have over the years holidayed together in Siberia, with the Kremlin flaunting the photos of the two hiking and horse-riding together.
—Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for holiday 
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Noun
Although discounts run intermittently all year, Total Wireless Black Friday deals and holiday promotions will save you the most money on your phone purchases.
—Molly Higgins, WIRED, 23 Nov. 2024
Visitors were treated to music from community choirs, dance groups, Christmas characters and holiday cheer.
—J.t. Wampler, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024
Verb
Kate Middleton will be attending the royal family’s annual summer holiday in Balmoral.
WPA Pool/Getty Images
The royal family have been holidaying in Balmoral for decades, with Prince Charles enjoying trips to the Aberdeenshire estate with a young Prince William and Prince Harry.
—Isaac Bickerstaff, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2024
The two have over the years holidayed together in Siberia, with the Kremlin flaunting the photos of the two hiking and horse-riding together.
—Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for holiday
Dictionary Entries Near holiday
Cite this Entry
“Holiday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holiday. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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