a day on which work is suspended by law or custom
"no mail is delivered on federal holidays"
"it's a good thing that New Year's was a holiday because everyone had a hangover"
A day on which a festival, religious event, or national celebration is traditionally observed.
"The town was decorated in bright colors to celebrate the local harvest holiday."
In plain English: A holiday is a day off from work or school when you don't have to do any regular duties.
"We are planning a holiday in Italy next summer."
Usage: Use "holiday" to refer to a specific day designated for rest or celebration, such as a national feast day or a weekend break from work. Do not use it interchangeably with "vacation," which describes an extended period of leisure time taken away from one's usual duties.
To take a period of time away from work or study.
"She decided to take a holiday next week to visit her family in London."
In plain English: To take a break from your normal routine and relax for a while.
"The family will holiday in Italy this summer."
Usage: Use the verb holiday to mean taking a break from work or school, though it is rarely used in American English where people typically say "vacation." In British and other Commonwealth varieties, you might hear someone say they are going to holiday in Spain.
A surname.
"The Holiday family has lived on the farm for three generations."
The word holiday comes from Middle English and originally meant a "holy day" or Sabbath in Old English. It entered modern usage to describe any day of celebration or rest rather than just a religious observance.