vacation

[vey-key-shuhn, vuh-]

noun

1. a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday.

   Schoolchildren are on vacation now.

2. a part of the year, regularly set aside, when normal activities of law courts, legislatures, etc., are suspended.

3. freedom or release from duty, business, or activity.

4. an act or instance of vacating.

verb (used without object)

1. to take or have a vacation.

   to vacation in the Caribbean.

vacation

/ vəˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. a period of the year when the law courts or universities are closed

2. a period in which a break is taken from work or studies for rest, travel, or recreation Also called (in Britain and certain other countries) holiday

3. the act of departing from or abandoning property, etc

verb

1. (intr) to take a vacation; holiday

Other Word Forms

• vacationer noun
• vacationist noun
• vacationless adjective
• minivacation noun
• prevacation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin vacātiōn-, stem of vacātiō “freedom from something”; equivalent to vacate + -ion; replacing Middle English vacacioun, from Anglo-French

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacation¹

C14: from Latin vacātiō freedom, from vacāre to be empty

Example Sentences

Naturally, the couple segues into another disagreement, arguing about where to spend their upcoming vacation — a hot-button issue, since Joan’s cancer treatments are no longer working and time is suddenly precious.

Read more on Salon

While luxe vacations and private schooling give children clues that they are wealthy, many families don’t share their true net worths, fearful of spoiling them or dimming their motivation to earn.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“It’s the first day of vacation and nobody came,” she said of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Namely, he goes shopping for a cruise vacation.

Read more on MarketWatch

An 18-year-old Central Florida student was found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship earlier this month while vacationing with her family.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• break 
• holiday 
• layoff 
• recess 
• respite 
• rest 
• sabbatical 
• time off