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.

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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

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verb

1. (intr) to take a vacation; holiday

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

Doctors say they’re fielding even more calls than usual to book appointments for face-lifts and breast augmentations during the winter months, as patients anticipate spring break, summer vacation, wedding season and the gala circuit.

From The Wall Street Journal

With much of the country in a deep freeze in the past month, plenty of people are likely thinking of getting away on a tropical vacation.

From Barron's

My dreams were simple: retire, pay for my granddaughter’s college and take family vacations.

From The Wall Street Journal

On a family vacation to Paris, a French friend of my mother’s scolded me for having written Wharton off, and sent me back to the States with her copy of “The Age of Innocence.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Companies frequently give employees monetary bonuses, but a new study suggests that paid vacation time is a perk employers should also consider.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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