vacation
Americannoun
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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.
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a part of the year, regularly set aside, when normal activities of law courts, legislatures, etc., are suspended.
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freedom or release from duty, business, or activity.
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an act or instance of vacating.
verb (used without object)
noun
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a period of the year when the law courts or universities are closed
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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
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the act of departing from or abandoning property, etc
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has vacationedperfect 3rd person singular
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have vacationedperfect
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has been vacationingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am vacationingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been vacationingperfect progressive
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are vacationingprogressive
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is vacationingprogressive 3rd person singular
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vacationingparticiple
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vacationssingular 3rd person
Past
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had vacationedperfect
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was vacationingprogressive singular
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vacationedparticiple
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had been vacationingperfect progressive
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were vacationingprogressive plural
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vacationedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of vacation
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
Explanation
A vacation is a time specifically set aside for enjoyment or relaxation, like a dream vacation to Hawaii. Vacation began as an Old French word, meaning "freedom or release" from an activity or occupation — like summer vacation. There's no school. During summer vacation, you'll do lots of things — but you won't be in school. You might even go somewhere for a vacation. Another meaning of vacation is "voiding something legal," like the vacation of the old law about not tying your horse in front of City Hall.
Vocabulary lists containing vacation
Travel
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vac
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Blasted to Smithereens: Synonyms for "Break"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For me, this is ideal weeknight cooking: A tostada piled high with ceviche tastes like vacation even when you’re eating it on a Tuesday.
From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026
It was the summer of 1968 and they planned a two-week vacation.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
Still, he had a close relationship with his children, according to the family’s social-media posts, and photos show him spending time with them, including on a Disney vacation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026
“It would be pretty cool if you could vacation on the moon,” Musk said.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
“Yeah, Mom. I’m on the vacation Bible school bus. I—” He crumples a piece of paper into his phone.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
