Meanings
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1
noun
the Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated on 25 December
The family gathered for church and dinner on Christmas.
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2
noun
the season around Christmas Day, marked by holidays, decorations, gifts, and celebrations
They spent Christmas with relatives in the countryside.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English Cristemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, literally 'Christ's mass': Crist ('Christ') in the possessive plus mæsse ('Mass, Eucharistic service'). The compound first named the church feast and then the wider holiday season and its customs.