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Synonyms

vacation

American  
[vey-key-shuhn, vuh-] / veɪˈkeɪ ʃən, və- /

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr) to take a vacation; holiday

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

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

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

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.

The raid has been jarring in the Oxnard School District, which was closed for summer vacation but reopened on July 10 to contact families and ensure their well-being, Supt.

From Los Angeles Times

He keeps a low profile outside Disney’s offices and rarely speaks publicly, though he is active on X and Instagram, where he shares photos of himself with stars at premieres and on vacation in Iceland.

From The Wall Street Journal

Switzerland, Cambodia, Cyprus and Canada, joining my parents over vacations.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Sometimes it feels like she just hasn't come home from her vacation," Lee said.

From Barron's

And I’ve been vacationing to this specific Shore town in South Jersey, Sea Isle City, for a long time, especially since I met my wife in 2014.

From The Wall Street Journal