hol hamoed

plural noun

hol ha·​mo·​ed

variants or chol hamoed

ˌkōlhäˈmōəd

sometimes capitalized

: the four intermediate semiholidays between the first two and last two full festival days of Passover

also : the five intermediate days between the first two and last two days of Sukkoth

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew ḥol ha-moed, literally, the secular portion of the festival

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now