holiday

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noun

/ˈhɒlɪdeɪ/

singular	holiday
plural	holidays

Related dictionary definitions

Am/Br differences

1
[countable] [often plural] British a period of time when you do not work or study and do things for pleasure instead. The American word is vacation
They’re going to Jamaica for their holidays.
be on holiday (=not working):
I am away on holiday for the next two weeks.
the Christmas/Easter/summer holidays:
The kids get bored by the end of the summer holidays.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of holiday
1. a.
  [countable] an occasion when you go and stay in another place for pleasure
  a golfing/skiing/seaside holiday
  a holiday resort
  Our trip to Victoria Falls was the holiday of a lifetime (=a very special holiday).
  go on holiday:
  Several years ago, I went on holiday with some friends.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of holiday
2
[countable] a day that is a celebration of something special, on which you do not have to work or go to school
1st May is a holiday in many European countries.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of holiday
See also bank holiday
3
[uncountable] British the number of days or weeks during a year when you do not have to work but are paid. The American word is vacation
Employees are entitled to four weeks’ annual holiday.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of holiday

Am/Br differences: holiday

In the UK, a holiday, often called your holidays, is a period of time during which you do not go to school or work, and usually you go to a place away from home to relax: Where are you going for your holiday? American speakers call this period a vacation. In the US, holiday refers to a single day fixed by law when people do not have to go to school or work: I forgot that Monday’s a holiday. In the UK, this is usually called a bank holiday. Both American and English speakers also call this a public holiday. When American speakers say the holidays or the holiday season, they are referring to the period of time that includes Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Day: Have you got any special plans for the holidays?

This is the British English definition of holiday. View American English definition of holiday.

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