holidayhol·i·day /ˈhɒlədiˈhɑːlədeɪ/ noun1[countableC] a day fixed by law on which people do not go to work or school and shops and businesses are closedThe Zurich stock market was closed yesterday for a national holiday.
This Monday is a public holiday in France.
The London stockmarket will reopen tomorrow after the bank holiday.
→ bank holiday → national holiday2[countableC, uncountableU] a time of rest from work or school. Most employees are allowed a fixed number of days each year as paid holidaySYN AmE vacationMy secretary’s on holiday this week.
You have to take your holiday by the end of the year.
Most employees would like to have more holiday entitlement (=the right to take longer holidays).
3[countableC] (also holidays British EnglishBrE)TRAVEL a period of time spent in a place for pleasureSYN AmE vacationThey’re on holiday in the Caribbean.
Make sure you have adequate holiday insurance before you leave.
a popular holiday resort
→ package holiday4[countableC] a period of time when it is not necessary to make payments that must normally be made → contribution holiday → tax holiday