Yuletide: meaning, definitions and examples

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yuletide

 

[ ˈjuːltaɪd ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

seasonal celebration

Yuletide refers to the Christmas season, which encompasses the festivities and customs surrounding the celebration of Christmas. This term is derived from the ancient celebration of the winter solstice, known as Yule, which has roots in various pre-Christian winter celebrations. Traditionally, Yule was a time for feasting, merriment, and the honoring of deities associated with the winter months. Over time, Yuletide has evolved to include modern Christmas customs, such as gift-giving, decorating pine trees, and caroling. It is a time when families come together to celebrate warmth, love, and joy during the cold winter months.

Synonyms

Christmas, festive season, holiday season

Examples of usage

  • We love to decorate our home during Yuletide.
  • Many cultures have unique traditions that they follow during Yuletide.
  • The story was set in the Yuletide season, filled with magic and wonder.

Translations

Translations of the word "yuletide" in other languages:

🇵🇹 Natal

🇮🇳 क्रिसमस का समय

🇩🇪 Weihnachtszeit

🇮🇩 musim Natal

🇺🇦 Різдво

🇵🇱 czas Bożego Narodzenia

🇯🇵 ユールタイド

🇫🇷 temps de Noël

🇪🇸 tiempo navideño

🇹🇷 Noel zamanı

🇰🇷 크리스마스 시즌

🇸🇦 وقت عيد الميلاد

🇨🇿 vánoční období

🇸🇰 vianočné obdobie

🇨🇳 圣诞节期间

🇸🇮 božični čas

🇮🇸 jólatími

🇰🇿 Рождество уақыты

🇬🇪 შობის დრო

🇦🇿 Milad dövrü

🇲🇽 tiempo navideño

Etymology

The term 'Yuletide' dates back to the Old English word 'ēwule' or 'iule', which referred to the midwinter feast that was celebrated by Germanic peoples. This festival was tied to specific pagan traditions marking the winter solstice and the return of longer days. The name evolved over time, and by the Middle Ages, 'Yule' had come to be associated with the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The word 'tide' in 'Yuletide' refers to a period or season, specifically the time around the Yuletide celebration. As Christianity spread through Europe, many of the older Yule customs were incorporated into Christmas traditions, creating a blend of both pagan and Christian elements, which continues to influence modern holiday celebrations. The combination of festivity, warmth, and community during this time reflects a deep-rooted cultural significance that has endured through centuries.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,133, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.