holiday

Meanings

Noun

• A day on which a festival, religious event, or national celebration is traditionally observed.
• A day declared free from work by the state or government.
• A period of one or more days taken off work for leisure and often travel; often plural.
• A period during which pupils do not attend their school; often plural; rarely used for students at university (usually: vacation).
• A period during which, by agreement, the usual payments are not made.
• A gap in coverage, e.g. of paint on a surface, or sonar imagery.

Verb

• To take a period of time away from work or study.
• To spend a period of time for travel.

Origin

• From Middle English halyday, holyday, halidei, haliȝdei, from Old English hāliġdæġ, equivalent to . Compare West Frisian hjeldei, Danish helligdag, Norwegian helligdag, Swedish helgdag.