Public Holiday Meaning, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：Official day off (Public holiday)

Public holiday 🔊

/ˈpʌblɪk ˈhɒlɪdeɪ/

A special day when most people don't work, set by the government for everyone to celebrate or remember something.

Official day off 🔊

➕

/əˈfɪʃl deɪ ɒf/

A day designated by law or custom when most businesses and schools are closed, allowing people to take a break from work.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Latin 'publicus' (public) and Old English 'hāligdæg' (holy day), meaning a state-recognized day off.

💡 Mnemonic

Public + holiday = day off for everyone.

📖 Example

The supermarket is closed because it's a public holiday today. 🔊 The supermarket is closed because it's a public holiday today.

🔗 Collocations

public holiday – a day when most people do not work, as decreed by the government

national public holiday – a public holiday celebrated across the entire country

public holiday pay – extra wages paid to employees who work on a public holiday

🔄 Synonyms

national holiday (n.) – A holiday observed by an entire nation, often with historical significance.

legal holiday (n.) – A holiday established by law, resulting in mandatory time off for most workers.

bank holiday (n.) – A public holiday when banks are closed, often used in the UK and Ireland.

🚫 Antonyms

working day (n.) – A regular day when people go to work and schools are open.

📖 Cultural Story

Public holidays originated in ancient Roman 'feriae' (religious festivals). Today, they are officially designated days for national celebration or commemoration, often marking historical events or cultural traditions.