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
Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024
Yes, post offices will be open and mail will be delivered on Tuesday, as Election Day is not a federal holiday.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 5 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 
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.
Noun
Starbucks has released a new holiday cup collection as the company kicks off the fall season this month.
—Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024
Yes, post offices will be open and mail will be delivered on Tuesday, as Election Day is not a federal holiday.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 5 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 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationBiographical Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share