holiday break

USAGE SUMMARY

"holiday break" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a break from school or work, usually during the Winter holidays. For example, "I'm looking forward to my holiday break so I can spend time with family and friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Tarrytowns district shortened the winter holiday break to compensate.

The New York Times

He was taking a holiday break with a business partner.

The Guardian

Two tough weekends await the Gophers before the holiday break.

The New York Times - Sports

With the holiday break approaching, Mink is 8 points short.

The New York Times - Sports

Looking for inspiration for a last-minute bank holiday break?

The Guardian - Travel

After a long holiday break, we are back at our poetry.

The New York Times

For others, the holiday break means traveling to be with family or for a getaway vacation.

The New York Times

The show, one of the island's most popular, resumed production on Monday after a holiday break.

The New York Times

The Senate does not return from its holiday break until next week.

The New York Times

With students home on holiday break, there was a calm on campus.

The New York Times - Sports

It was about the first time he came home from college on holiday break.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "holiday break" to refer to a specific period of time off from work or school, usually associated with major holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving. It clearly communicates a temporary cessation of regular activities.

Common error

Avoid using "holiday break" when referring to a general vacation or personal time off that is not tied to a specific holiday. Use more general terms like "vacation", "time off", or "leave" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "holiday break" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It refers to a scheduled period of rest or cessation of regular activities linked to holidays. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "holiday break" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to a period of rest from work or school associated with a holiday. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct. It is frequently found in news and media, science and formal business contexts, maintaining a neutral register. To avoid misuse, it is important to use "holiday break" only when referring to time off specifically related to a holiday, rather than general vacation time. Alternatives include "time off for the holidays" or "school holiday", depending on the specific context. The expert rating reflects its grammatical correctness, source authority and consistency in usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

school holiday

Refers specifically to the holidays and breaks during a school year.

time off for the holidays

Specifies the reason for the break, centering around holiday celebrations.

holiday leave

Emphasizes the authorization to be away from work or school during the holiday season.

vacation period

Emphasizes the vacation aspect of the break, suggesting leisure and travel.

festive recess

Highlights the celebratory and temporary nature of the break, typically during holidays.

Christmas vacation

Specifically refers to a vacation taken during the Christmas holidays.

seasonal downtime

Focuses on the period of reduced activity associated with certain seasons or holidays.

end-of-year ছুটি

Indicates a break specifically at the end of the year, often associated with major holidays.

bank holiday

Focuses on public holidays where banks and many businesses are closed.

winter intermission

Suggests a pause or interruption during the winter season, often from school or work.

FAQs

How can I use "holiday break" in a sentence?

You can use "holiday break" to describe a period of time off from school or work, for example: "Students look forward to the upcoming holiday break" or "The company will be closed for the holiday break".

What's a good alternative to "holiday break"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "time off for the holidays", "school holiday", or "Christmas vacation".

Is there a difference between "holiday break" and "vacation"?

"Holiday break" typically refers to a specific period of time off associated with a holiday, while "vacation" is a more general term for any extended period of time off from work or school. Therefore a "holiday break" can also be a "vacation", however a "vacation" is not always a "holiday break".

When is it appropriate to use "holiday break" versus "bank holiday"?

"Holiday break" is generally used in the context of school or work schedules around holidays. "Bank holiday" specifically refers to public holidays when banks and many other businesses are closed.