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

A few say they are leaving for routine vacations and business travel.

From The Wall Street Journal

If this energy crisis continues, many will be vacationing locally this summer to avoid airline or gasoline costs.

From MarketWatch

People said they had delayed vacations, medical treatment, job changes and home purchases due to healthcare costs, Gallup found.

From MarketWatch

At that price, analysts say, Americans might start taking the bus, working from home or rethinking their summer vacations.

From The Wall Street Journal

At Mexico’s request, the CIA positioned an unarmed Predator drone over a Tapalpa vacation compound, where it observed a man exit a vehicle and warmly embrace Oseguera’s lover, according to people familiar with the operation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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