Weekend: meaning, definitions and examples

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weekend

[ ˈwiːkˌɛnd ]

Noun

Oxford 3000 Days of the week

^{Context #1 | Noun}

time off work

The weekend is the time when most people do not work, typically Saturday and Sunday.

Synonyms

Saturday and Sunday, rest days, time off.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
weekend	General reference to the period of Saturday and Sunday, often used when talking about plans, activities, or relaxation during this time. I'm going hiking this weekend. Do you have any plans for the weekend?
Saturday and Sunday	Used when specifying the exact days of the weekend. This term is often used when setting dates or clarifying schedules. The event will take place on Saturday and Sunday. I usually visit my parents on Saturday and Sunday.
time off	Refers to a break from work or responsibilities, which can happen during the weekend or on other days. It generally indicates planned periods of rest or vacation. I'm taking some time off next week. She requested time off to travel.
rest days	Specifically refers to days allocated for rest and recovery. Often used by athletes or people with intense schedules to highlight the purpose of taking a break. My rest days are Wednesdays and Sundays. Make sure to include rest days in your training schedule.

Examples of usage

I like to relax and recharge during the weekend.
We are planning a getaway for the weekend.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

short period of time

A weekend can also refer to any short period of time, typically around two days, such as a weekend getaway or a weekend project.

Synonyms

brief period, mini vacation, short break.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
weekend	Used for describing the days at the end of the week, typically Saturday and Sunday, when people usually have time off from work or school. 'Let's go to the beach this weekend ' 'I prefer watching movies over the weekend '
short break	Used for describing a quick pause or period of rest from work or routine activities, generally lasting a few minutes to a couple of hours. 'I need a short break before we continue ' 'A short break can help improve productivity '
mini vacation	Used for describing a short trip or holiday, usually lasting a couple of days, taken to relax or enjoy oneself. It suggests more planning and a sense of getaway. 'We're planning a mini vacation to the countryside ' 'A mini vacation can do wonders for your stress levels '
brief period	Used for describing a short span of time, which can be minutes, hours, or days, that is shorter than usual. 'He took a brief period to gather his thoughts ' 'The brief period of rain refreshed the city '

Examples of usage

Let's go on a weekend trip to the beach.
We should finish this project over the weekend.

Translations

Translations of the word "weekend" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fim de semana

🇮🇳 सप्ताहांत

🇩🇪 Wochenende

🇮🇩 akhir pekan

🇺🇦 вихідні

🇵🇱 weekend

🇯🇵 週末

🇫🇷 week-end

🇪🇸 fin de semana

🇹🇷 hafta sonu

🇰🇷 주말

🇸🇦 عطلة نهاية الأسبوع

🇨🇿 víkend

🇸🇰 víkend

🇨🇳 周末

🇸🇮 vikend

🇮🇸 helgi

🇰🇿 демалыс күндері

🇬🇪 週末

🇦🇿 həftə sonu

🇲🇽 fin de semana

Etymology

The word 'weekend' originated in the late 19th century in British English. Initially, it referred to the end of the week, specifically Saturday and Sunday, as days of rest and leisure. Over time, the concept of the weekend evolved globally, with different cultures adopting their own variations of the weekend. Today, the weekend is widely recognized as a time for relaxation, socializing, and recreational activities, separate from the workweek.