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

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.

Example Sentences

“Summer camp for me was Vacation Bible School,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

King won the RBC Taylor prize for non-fiction for his book The Inconvenient Indian, in 2014, and the Stephen Leacock memorial medal for humour for his work Indians on Vacation, in 2020.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

We have collectively taken fewer vacation days since the 1980s, according to data from the American Travel Association, and Expedia’s Vacation Deprivation Report finds that our country is bad at getting away.

From Slate • Jul. 20, 2025

"Home Alone" director Chris Columbus almost directed another holiday classic, "Christmas Vacation."

From Salon • Dec. 24, 2024

Okay, so maybe that will be the good part about Vacation Bible School.

From "P.S. I Miss You" by Jen Petro-Roy

Related Words

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