holiday 1 of 2

noun

ˈhä-lə-ˌdā How to pronounce holiday (audio)
Definition of holidaynext
chiefly British
as in vacation
a period during which the usual routine of school or work is suspended the member of parliament met his wife while on holiday in the south of France

Synonyms & Similar Words

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holiday

2 of 2

verb

as in to vacation
to take or spend a vacation saw kangaroos while holidaying in Australia

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of holiday
Noun
Some were designed to become annual traditions, such as the Tournament of Roses parade, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting and the reigning champion of NBC’s holiday specials, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 This year, organizers are also expanding holiday programming with a new event. — Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
The British royals had a splendid time holidaying with Spain's royal family at the Marivent Palace in August 1987. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 The entire piece is heavily indebted to Crowley’s former Golden Dawn master Allan Bennett, who the Great Beast had holidayed with in Ceylon in 1901. — Stewart Home august 22, Literary Hub, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for holiday
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holiday
vacation
Noun
  • In the tottering years, a bathing bird or blossoming flower will raise a thrill in you like only a game winning home run or a Disney World vacation used to.
    — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Even more, 69%, say a weeklong vacation is unaffordable, up from 60%.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of vacation

Browse Nearby Words

holey
holiday
holidayed
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Cite this Entry

“Holiday.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holiday. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on holiday

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about holiday

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