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Definition holiday in British English

holiday noun

noun
/ˈhɒlɪdeɪ/

Differences between British and American English: 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?

1

a period of time when you do not work or study and do things for pleasure instead. The American word is vacation

Example

They're going to Jamaica for their holidays.

Example

I am away on holiday for the next two weeks.

Example

The kids get bored by the end of the summer holidays.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

an occasion when you go and stay in another place for pleasure

Example

a golfing/skiing/seaside holiday

Example

a holiday resort

Example

Our trip to Victoria Falls was the holiday of a lifetime (=a very special holiday).

Example

Several years ago, I went on holiday with some friends.

Synonyms and related words
2

a day that is a celebration of something special, on which you do not have to work or go to school

Example

1st May is a holiday in many European countries.

Synonyms and related words
3

the number of days or weeks during a year when you do not have to work but are paid. The American word is vacation

Example

Employees are entitled to four weeks' annual holiday.

Synonyms and related words
Definition holiday in British English