chiefly Brit a period taken as leave or a break from one's normal occupation, esp if spent away from home

a two-day holiday

a holiday in Turkey

chiefly Brit (in pl) a period of the year between academic or legal terms, or a period of scheduled leave from one's job

You're expected to do a lot of reading in the holidays

I'm going to Madeira for my holidays

an official day of leave from work, such as a religious festival or a day of celebration

a bank holiday