1 hol·i·day
Pronounced:
/ˈhɑ:ləˌdeɪ, Brit ˈhɒlədi/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural hol·i·daysMeaning:
1 [count] : a special day of celebration ▪ a religious holiday : a day when most people do not have to work ▪ July 4 is a national holiday in the U.S. ▪ The stock market is closed tomorrow because it's a holiday. —often used before another noun ▪ holiday gifts/parties ▪ Do you have any plans for the holiday weekend? [=a weekend that is preceded or followed by a holiday] ◊In U.S. English, the holiday season and the holidays refer to the time from November until the beginning of January during which many holidays are celebrated. ▪ How are you celebrating the holiday season? ▪ I'm looking forward to going home for the holidays. —see also bank holiday, legal holiday
2 Brit : vacation [noncount] ▪ She'll have four weeks' holiday next year. ▪ She spent two weeks on holiday [=(US) on vacation] in Italy. [count] ▪ We're planning on taking a holiday in the Caribbean. —often plural ▪ She went to the Caribbean for her holidays. ▪ He spent the summer holidays in Spain.
2 Brit : vacation [noncount] ▪ She'll have four weeks' holiday next year. ▪ She spent two weeks on holiday [=(US) on vacation] in Italy. [count] ▪ We're planning on taking a holiday in the Caribbean. —often plural ▪ She went to the Caribbean for her holidays. ▪ He spent the summer holidays in Spain.