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
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
Lisa Vernon Sparks, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
From December’s average prices being close to $3 per gallon to rising to nearly $3.30 per gallon in the winter, fuel costs have increased and decreased many times since the Christmas holiday.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 29 May 2025
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 May 2025
In an Instagram reel, Timea Morar, 28, hilariously captured the contrast between her and her husband Mircea Morar's vastly different approaches to holiday fun.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holiday
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Noun
Now three years into its existence, the ways to honor this federal holiday are evolving – especially given rapid challenges to civil rights, social justice and how diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are being rolled back.
—Lisa Vernon Sparks, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
From December’s average prices being close to $3 per gallon to rising to nearly $3.30 per gallon in the winter, fuel costs have increased and decreased many times since the Christmas holiday.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 29 May 2025
Verb
Telemundo has access through NBC to holiday favorite specials such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Christmas in Rockefeller Center, not to mention NFL games.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 May 2025
In an Instagram reel, Timea Morar, 28, hilariously captured the contrast between her and her husband Mircea Morar's vastly different approaches to holiday fun.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holiday
Cite this Entry
“Holiday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holiday. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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