Christmas
Christmas (noun) means the Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus, held on December 25th. Example: “We always spend Christmas with my grandparents.”
How to Use Christmas
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe yearly holiday on December 25th celebrating the birth of Jesus, widely marked with gift-giving and family gatherings even by non-religious people.
Word Forms
Christmased past tense, Christmassed past tense, Christmases singular, Christmasses singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
We always spend _____ with my grandparents.
Etymology
From Old English Crīstes mæsse, literally \"Christ's mass\" — the church service celebrating Christ's birth.
Related Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Christmas” mean?
The word “Christmas” means the Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus, held on December 25th. In plain terms, the yearly holiday on December 25th celebrating the birth of Jesus, widely marked with gift-giving and family gatherings even by non-religious people.
How do you pronounce “Christmas”?
“Christmas” is pronounced KRIHS-muhs (/ˈkɹɪsməs/ in IPA).
How do you use “Christmas” in a sentence?
Here is “Christmas” used in a sentence: “We always spend Christmas with my grandparents.”
What part of speech is “Christmas”?
Depending on how it is used, “Christmas” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “Christmas” come from?
The word “Christmas” comes from Old English. From Old English Crīstes mæsse, literally \"Christ's mass\" — the church service celebrating Christ's birth.
Is “Christmas” a common word?
“Christmas” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Christmas” have?
“Christmas” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus, held on December 25th.
Why is Christmas celebrated on December 25th?
No one recorded the exact date of Jesus's birth, so the early Church settled on December 25th, likely to align with existing midwinter festivals such as the Roman Saturnalia and the feast of the unconquered sun. The date became fixed by the fourth century and has marked the celebration ever since.
What is the difference between Christmas and Xmas?
There is no difference in meaning — Xmas is simply a shortened way of writing Christmas. The X comes from the Greek letter chi, the first letter of Christ, so the abbreviation is far older than it looks. Some people prefer 'Christmas' in formal writing, seeing 'Xmas' as too casual.
Is Christmas a religious or secular holiday?
It is both. For Christians, Christmas remains a sacred festival marking the birth of Jesus. For many others it has become a largely secular celebration of family, giving, and goodwill, complete with trees, gifts, and Father Christmas — traditions that owe as much to folklore and custom as to the Church.
What is an example of a Christmas tradition?
Common traditions include decorating an evergreen tree, exchanging gifts, sending cards, hanging stockings, and sharing a festive meal with family. Many also attend church services, sing carols, or watch for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve. Customs vary widely by country, but most centre on generosity, warmth, and time spent together.