ENGLISH
REFERENCE

weekend

n. countable
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈwiˌkɛnd// UK //wiːkˈɛnd// week·end General-service

n. the two days of the week when most people do not have to work. In many countries, this is Saturday and Sunday.

n. the period from Friday evening through Sunday, or more specifically Saturday and Sunday, typically reserved for rest or recreation.


SIMPLE

I usually go to the park on the weekend.

CONTEXTUAL

We are planning to visit my parents over the weekend if the weather stays clear.

COMPLEX

While the traditional weekend consists of Saturday and Sunday, many service industry employees find their period of rest falling during the middle of the workweek instead.

Origin

From week + end. Originally a Northern England regionalism (see 1903 quotation), in more general use from late 19th century. Compare Saterland Frisian Wiekeneende (“weekend”), West Frisian wykein (“weekend”), Dutch weekeinde (“weekend”), German Low German Wekenenn (“weekend”), German Wochenende (“weekend”).

Usage

In British English, 'at the weekend' is the standard prepositional phrase, whereas American English typically uses 'on the weekend'.

Pitfall

I will see you in the weekendI will see you at the weekendLearners often use 'in' for time periods, but 'weekend' requires 'at' (UK) or 'on' (US).

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