vacation
Americannoun
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vacations
plural
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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)
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vacations,
present (3rd person singular)
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vacationed,
past participle, past
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vacationing
present participle
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.
See Examples For:
“Instead of mom or dad missing work twice,” Cassidy said, parents could have to “miss work or take vacation or personal leave six times.”
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
Once they decided to vacation in Atlantic Canada, Kent Truscott and his wife embraced the idea of discovering their own country.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
People had called during a recent Icelandic vacation, for Pete’s sake.
From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026
Paris Match described Macron's vacation as "work-focused," noting that an office has been set up and that "the president spends his days on the phone."
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
A lot of families with kids are traveling—summer vacation and all that.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Some visitors left immediately, but others who had one more day left of their vacations opted to stay until Tuesday morning, she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
And social media has made it easy to envy, emulate and one-up friends’ vacations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
He expected a typical midsummer slump in his D.C. farmers market sales this year, as shoppers are lured away by vacations and back-to-school shopping.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
We have no debt and try to live off our Social Security, pension and annuities, only withdrawing from our Roth or IRAs for major expenses like a roof or vacations.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
The built-in bookshelves showcased photos of family vacations and special occasions.
From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence
Wearing a life vest that showcased his toned arms, Macron cut a sporty figure as he vacationed at the Bregancon Fort, the presidential retreat, during France's August summer break.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
The first time Robbins vacationed in Europe was in 2007, when he was 49.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
Two years later, John C. Doerfer, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, likewise bowed out when it was revealed he had vacationed on the yacht of a wealthy friend.
From Salon ● Apr. 16, 2026
That hunch was confirmed after they vacationed in Mexico that summer and she wore his jersey to a 49ers game in October.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 10, 2025
“My cousin vacationed in Nowhere once,” Llewelyn whispered, but stopped after a cutting look from Sinchi.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
The photo shows a vacationing couple seated in striped deck chairs beneath a brightly coloured parasol on a beach.
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
Half of respondents who said they were not vacationing this summer said cost was the reason.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 28, 2026
Balancing vacationing now with planning for dream trips in the future is important, she said.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 20, 2026
As I ambled past groups doing yoga and vacationing families lounging on the grass, pain started to radiate through my ankles and up my shinbones before settling uncomfortably in my hips.
From Slate ● Jun. 5, 2026
Three things lay on the doormat: a postcard from Uncle Vernon’s sister Marge, who was vacationing on the Isle of Wight, a brown envelope that looked like a bill, and — a letter for Harry.
From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling
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.
