Weihnachten definition

Etymology

From wīhenahten (12th century), a dative plural form ze wīhen nahten (‘in the holy nights’) understood as a compound of weihen (to hallow) and Nacht (night), referring to the mid-winter nights, which were already celebrated in Germanic times. Cf. Weihnacht,

Noun

, especially in Austria and Switzerland also plural

Christmas
- Es ist Weihnachten.
  
  It's Christmas.
- Frohe Weihnachten!
  
  Merry Christmas!
- Wir wünschen Ihnen frohe Weihnachten und ein gutes neues Jahr!
  
  (formal) We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!