Christmas

noun

Christ·​mas ˈkri-sməs 

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

: christmastide

Christmassy adjective

or Christmasy

ˈkri-smə-sē 

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

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

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

Phrases Containing Christmas

• a white Christmas
• Christmas berry
• Christmas cactus
• Christmas cake
• Christmas card
• Christmas carol
• Christmas club
• Christmas cracker
• Christmas Day
• Christmas disease
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas factor
• Christmas fern
• Christmas ornament
• Christmas pudding
• Christmas rose
• Christmas season
• Christmas stocking
• Christmas tree
• Father Christmas
• Merry Christmas
• Old Christmas
• pre-Christmas

Kids Definition

Christmas

noun

Christ·​mas ˈkris-məs 

1

: December 25 celebrated in honor of the birth of Christ

2

: christmastime