Definition

1. Noun:
   • A day authorized by law as exempt from work and regular official business. A legal holiday is a day recognized and established by government statute, typically resulting in the closure of schools, businesses, and government offices.

Usage

• The term "legal holiday" is used to specify a day that is formally recognized by national or regional government legislation. It is often used in official contexts, such as employment contracts, government announcements, and calendar designations.
• It is commonly used in American English. In British English, the term "bank holiday" or "public holiday" is more frequent, though "legal holiday" is understood.

Examples

• Noun:
  • New Year's Day is a federal legal holiday in the United States.
  • The company's policy grants employees paid time off on all observed legal holidays.
  • City offices will be closed in observance of the legal holiday.

Advanced Usage

• "Observe a legal holiday": To recognize and commemorate a legal holiday, often by not working or holding ceremonies.
  • The nation observes this legal holiday with parades and speeches.
• "Falling on a legal holiday": Used to describe when a regular date coincides with a holiday.
  • If your payday falls on a legal holiday, you will receive your check on the preceding business day.

Variants and Related Words

• Public holiday (n): A synonym more common in international and British English.
• Bank holiday (n): Primarily used in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth nations; a day when banks and many other businesses are closed by law.
• Federal holiday (n): In the U.S., a holiday specifically established by the federal government for its employees and often observed nationwide.
• Statutory holiday (n): A holiday mandated by statute or law, common in Canadian English.

Synonyms

• Public holiday: A holiday established by law and observed by the general public.
• National holiday: A holiday commemorating a nation's significant event, often (but not always) a legal holiday.

Related Phrases

• Legal holiday pay: The rate of pay employees receive for working on a legal holiday, often at a premium.
  • Union contracts frequently stipulate double time for legal holiday pay.
• Legal holiday schedule: The official list of holidays recognized in a given jurisdiction for a particular year.
  • Please consult the company's legal holiday schedule for the upcoming year.

Noun

1. authorized by law and limiting work or official business