Definition

Noun: A period, typically encompassing several weeks at the end of the calendar year, when multiple holidays occur and many people take time off from work or school for celebration, travel, and family gatherings.

Usage

The term "holiday season" is used to refer to the extended festive period, not a single day. It is often associated with specific holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Day, which fall close together. It describes both the time itself and the associated activities and atmosphere.

Examples

• Many retailers hire extra staff for the holiday season.
• Travel is always very busy during the holiday season.
• We send out cards to friends and family every holiday season.
• The office is closed for the holiday season.

Advanced Usage

• "the holiday season": Almost always used with the definite article "the," as it refers to a specific, well-known period of the year.
  • I love the decorations and music of the holiday season.
• It can be used attributively (like an adjective) before another noun.
  • holiday season sales, holiday season travel, holiday season spirit

Variants and Related Words

• Festive season: A near-synonym, particularly common in British English, emphasizing the celebratory aspect.
• Holiday (noun): A single day of celebration or a period of leisure away from work.
• Season (noun): A period of the year characterized by particular conditions or activities.

Synonyms

• Festive season
• Yuletide (specifically refers to the Christmas period)
• The holidays (informal)

Related Phrases

• "Happy Holidays!": A common greeting during this time, intended to be inclusive of various celebrations.
• "Holiday cheer": Refers to the feeling of joy and goodwill associated with the season.
• "Holiday rush": Refers to the busy and hectic period of shopping and preparation.

Noun

1. a time when many people take holidays