holiday

 
Pronunciation: /ˈhɒlɪdeɪ, -di/
chiefly British

noun

  • 1 (often holidays) an extended period of leisure and recreation, especially one spent away from home or in travelling: I spent my summer holidays on a farm Fred was on holiday in Spain
  • a day of festivity or recreation when no work is done: 25 December is an official public holiday
  • [as modifier] characteristic of a holiday; festive: a holiday atmosphere
  • 2 [with modifier] a short period during which the payment of instalments, tax, etc. may be suspended: a pension holiday

verb

[no object, with adverbial of place]
  • spend a holiday in a specified place: he is holidaying in Italy

Origin:

Old English hāligdæg 'holy day'