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
After all, 2026 is expected to be the most expensive holiday travel season in 10 years. — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026 After the last one is opened, use the set to bake cookies for Santa and decorate them on Christmas Eve, then take the extras along to your holiday gathering. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 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
  • Kaufman said Rivera stopped working for the mayor’s office in April, then received unused vacation pay for another four months.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • As anyone who has ever planned a family vacation knows, booking a home that satisfies all of your party’s needs is a true art.
    — Rachel Fletcher, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on holiday

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about holiday

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