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
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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vacationsimple
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vacationssimple
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have vacationedperfect
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has vacationedperfect
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am vacationingprogressive
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are vacationingprogressive
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is vacationingprogressive
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have been vacationingperfect progressive
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has been vacationingperfect progressive
Past
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vacationedsimple
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had vacationedperfect
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was vacationingprogressive
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were vacationingprogressive
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had been vacationingperfect progressive
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.
With college recruiters headed on vacation, lots of players decided to make commitments to make sure they have a “certain” destination.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 21, 2026
Holding a current passport, taking an annual vacation and flying by plane to that holiday spot are activities claimed far more often by the two wealthiest classes than by middle- and working-class Americans.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026
These trusts can include stocks and bonds, bank accounts and CDs, and even secondary properties such as vacation homes and rental homes.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 19, 2026
Before you know it, it’s your summer vacation and you’re stuck with an investment that you don’t necessarily believe in anymore.
From Slate • Jun. 18, 2026
“Because we’ll time the updating and rehab to coincide with the boy’s own vacation with his family.”
From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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.
