christmas
n.a Christian holiday on December 25th that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Most people celebrate by giving gifts, eating special meals, and spending time with family.
n.an annual Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed on December 25th. In secular contexts, it serves as a cultural holiday characterized by gift-giving and familial gatherings.
“We always decorate the tree before Christmas.”
“Many businesses close for several days during Christmas to allow their employees to travel home and visit relatives.”
“While the religious significance remains central for many, Christmas has evolved into a global commercial phenomenon that significantly impacts retail sectors and international travel patterns during the winter season.”
Usually uncountable when referring to the holiday period; countable when referring to a specific year's celebration ('a Christmas to remember').
Use the preposition 'at' for the holiday period; use 'on' only if referring specifically to Christmas Day.
The proper noun is derived from Middle English Cristemasse, Criste-mas (“Christmas Day; season of Christmas; Christmas festivities”) [and other forms], from Old English Cristes mæsse (“Christmas”, literally “Christ’s mass”), from Crist (“Christ”) + -es (possessive marker) + mæsse (“a mass (celebration of the Eucharist)”). The English word is analysable as Christ + -mas (suffix denoting a holiday or sacred day). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Kristmisse (“Christmas”), West Frisian Krystmis (“Christmas”), Dutch Kerstmis (“Christmas”), German Low German Karstmis (“Christmas”). The noun, adjective, and verb are derived from the proper noun. Adjective etymology 1 sense 1 (“red and green in color”) refers to these colors being traditionally associated with Christmas.
Short for Jiminy Christmas, probably a variant of Jiminy Cricket or Jiminy Crickets, a euphemism for Jesus Christ.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.