Definition

1. Noun:
   • A day on which most businesses and schools are closed by law: A "public holiday" is a day officially recognized and established by government authority, typically resulting in the suspension of regular work and official activities for the general population.

Usage

• A "public holiday" is a fixed, legally recognized day of rest or celebration for a nation or region.
• It is used to refer to national or regional holidays like Independence Day, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day, where normal work and business operations are generally halted.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Christmas Day is a public holiday in many countries.
  • All government offices will be closed for the public holiday.
  • The company grants paid leave on official public holidays.

Advanced Usage

• "to observe a public holiday": to recognize and celebrate or commemorate a public holiday.
  • The nation observes this public holiday with a military parade.
• "public holiday period": refers to the time surrounding a public holiday, often involving extended time off.
  • Travel is very busy during the public holiday period.

Variants and Related Words

• Bank holiday (n, chiefly UK): A public holiday on which banks are closed, often used synonymously with "public holiday" in some contexts.
  • Monday is a bank holiday, so the post office will be shut.
• National holiday (n): A public holiday commemorating a nation's independence or founding.
  • The Fourth of July is a national holiday in the United States.
• Statutory holiday (n, chiefly Canada): A holiday mandated by statute (law); a public holiday.
  • Labour Day is a statutory holiday.

Synonyms

• Legal holiday: A holiday established by law.
• Official holiday: A formally recognized holiday.

Related Phrases

• Public holiday schedule: The calendar of official holidays for a given year.
  • Check the public holiday schedule before planning the project timeline.
• Public holiday pay: The rate of pay employees receive for working on a public holiday.
  • Employees are entitled to double time as public holiday pay.

Noun

1. authorized by law and limiting work or official business