Definition

1. Noun:
   • A weekday when banks are legally closed: A "bank holiday" is an official public holiday in the United Kingdom and some other countries, typically on a weekday, during which banks and many other businesses and institutions are closed.
   • A legal holiday in Britain: Specifically, it refers to a statutory public holiday in the United Kingdom, distinct from traditional holidays like Christmas Day.

Usage

• "Bank holiday" is a compound noun. It is used to refer to specific, named public holidays.
• It is often capitalized when referring to a specific holiday's name (e.g., the August Bank Holiday).
• In the UK, common bank holidays include New Year's Day, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, and the Summer Bank Holiday.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The office will be closed next Monday for the bank holiday.
  • We're planning a trip to the coast over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.
  • Is Good Friday considered a bank holiday in the UK?

Advanced Usage

• "Bank holiday Monday": A common phrase referring to a bank holiday that falls on a Monday, which is typical in the UK calendar.
  • Traffic is always heavy on a bank holiday Monday.
• To describe a period: The term can be used adjectivally to describe the period or atmosphere.
  • The town had a quiet, bank holiday feel.

Variants and Related Words

• Public holiday (n): A more general term for an official non-working day observed by the entire country. (Note: In the UK, "bank holiday" is the specific legal term for most public holidays).
• Statutory holiday (n): A holiday mandated by law.

Synonyms

• Legal holiday: A holiday established by law.
• Public holiday: A day of celebration or commemoration on which most people do not work.

Related Phrases

• Bank holiday weekend: The weekend that includes a bank holiday Monday, often resulting in a long weekend for many people.
  • We're going away for the bank holiday weekend.

Noun

1. any of several weekdays when banks are closed; a legal holiday in Britain