christmas seal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Historical
Quick answer
What does “christmas seal” mean?
A decorative adhesive stamp, sold for charity, especially to support tuberculosis patients, traditionally placed on holiday mail.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A decorative adhesive stamp, sold for charity, especially to support tuberculosis patients, traditionally placed on holiday mail.
A symbol of charitable fundraising during the Christmas season, often featuring festive designs; historically associated with lung health campaigns.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term and tradition are predominantly American/Canadian. In British English, the concept is less familiar; similar charitable fundraising might involve 'Christmas stamps' from the Royal Mail, but these are often actual postage stamps.
Connotations
In American English: nostalgia, charity, tradition. In British English: likely unrecognized or perceived as an Americanism.
Frequency
Very common in US/CA historical and charitable contexts; rare to absent in UK discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “christmas seal” in a Sentence
VERB + Christmas seal (buy, collect, affix)Christmas seal + NOUN (campaign, design, drive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “christmas seal” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- We always *seal* our holiday cards with a Christmas seal for the children's hospital.
adjective
American English
- The *Christmas-seal* drive begins each November.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in historical discussions of philanthropic marketing.
Academic
Used in historical/public health studies about tuberculosis fundraising.
Everyday
Understood by older generations in North America; fading from common use.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “christmas seal”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “christmas seal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “christmas seal”
- Using 'Christmas seal' to refer to a postage stamp with a Christmas design.
- Assuming it is a British tradition.
- Pronouncing 'seal' as /sɛl/ (like the animal) instead of /siːl/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a decorative charity label affixed *in addition to* the required postage stamp.
It began in Denmark in 1904 to raise funds for children with tuberculosis, and was popularized in the US by the National Tuberculosis Association.
No, it does not replace a postage stamp. It is purely decorative and charitable.
Yes, primarily by the American Lung Association and similar health charities, though they are less common than in the mid-20th century.
A decorative adhesive stamp, sold for charity, especially to support tuberculosis patients, traditionally placed on holiday mail.
Christmas seal is usually formal/historical in register.
Christmas seal: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪsməs siːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪsməs siːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SEAL the deal for charity at Christmas.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHARITY IS A SEAL OF APPROVAL.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a Christmas seal?