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Entry 5 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Holiday

/häl'-əd-āˌ/ · Hol·i·day · IPA /ˈhɑləˌdeɪ/
01 n. A consecrated day; religious anniversary; a day set apart in honor of some person, or in commemoration of some event. See Holyday.
  1. 1.
    A consecrated day; religious anniversary; a day set apart in honor of some person, or in commemoration of some event. See Holyday. See: Holyday
  2. 2.
    A day of exemption from labor; a day of amusement and gayety; a festival day.
    “And young and old come forth to play On a sunshine holiday.” — Milton.
  3. 3.
    A day fixed by law for suspension of business; a legal holiday.(Law)
Phrases & compounds
The holidays — any fixed or usual period for relaxation or festivity; especially, Christmas and New Year's day with the intervening time.
02 a. Of or pertaining to a festival; cheerful; joyous; gay.
  1. 1.
    Of or pertaining to a festival; cheerful; joyous; gay.
  2. 2.
    Occurring rarely; adapted for a special occasion.
    “Courage is but a holiday kind of virtue, to be seldom exercised.” — Dryden.