Christmas

Pronunciation

• enPR: krÄ­sʹmÉ™s, IPA: /ˈkɹɪsmÉ™s/
• Rhymes: -ɪsmÉ™s

Alternative forms

• Xmas

Origin

From late Old English Cristesmæsse ("Christ's mass, Christ's festival"); as if Christ + -mas.

Full definition of Christmas

Proper noun

1. A widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, incorporating various Christian, pre-Christian and secular customs.Do you celebrate Christmas?
2. A personification of Christmas.

Coordinate terms

• Mawlid

Noun

1. Christmas Day, the day it is celebrated, 25 December, an English quarter day.This Christmas we'll open presents then go to grandma's for dinner.
2. Christmastide, the Twelve Days of Christmas, the season (traditionally from the 24th of December to the 6th of January) around the holiday.
3. (US, retailing) The period from the Friday following Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, busy with shopping and preparations for Christmas.The last three Christmases have been good for retailers.
4. (marketing, retailing) Christmas season, the end of the year period, busy with shopping and preparations for Christmas.The Christmas shoppers spent less this December, than last year, but our store will probably see just as many returned items during the twelve days of Christmas.

Synonyms

• Yule
• Chrimble (Crimble), Crimbo (Chrimbo)

Derived terms

Descendants

• geresma