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
Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 1 Nov. 2024
Their annual 12-show holiday run in New York will be held at Knockdown Center on Nov. 21-24, Dec. 5-8 and Dec. 12-15.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 1 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
Hosted by Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey, the two-hour special will feature Motown legends and contemporary stars performing more than 25 of the label’s timeless hits as well as holiday favorites.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 1 Nov. 2024
Their annual 12-show holiday run in New York will be held at Knockdown Center on Nov. 21-24, Dec. 5-8 and Dec. 12-15.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 1 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 14 Nov. 2024.
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