vacation

[ vey-key-shuhn, vuh- ]

/ veɪˈkeɪ ʃən, və- /

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See synonyms for: vacation / vacationed / vacationing / vacationer on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

a part of the year, regularly set aside, when normal activities of law courts, legislatures, etc., are suspended.

freedom or release from duty, business, or activity.

an act or instance of vacating.

verb (used without object)

to take or have a vacation: to vacation in the Caribbean.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of vacation

1350–1400; <Latin vacātiōn- (stem of vacātiō freedom from something; see vacate, -ion); replacing Middle English vacacioun<Anglo-French

OTHER WORDS FROM vacation

va·ca·tion·er, va·ca·tion·ist, nounva·ca·tion·less, adjectivemin·i·va·ca·tion, nounpre·va·ca·tion, noun, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH vacation

vacation , vocation

Words nearby vacation

vacancy, vacant, vacant possession, vacate, vacated, vacation, Vacation Bible School, vacationer, vacationland, vacation pay, Vacaville

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use vacation in a sentence

Watching Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar was the closest I’ve come in a long time to feeling like I was on vacation.
The fabulous Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar recalls a bygone age of wackadoodle comedy|Alissa Wilkinson|February 12, 2021|Vox
Corado was in El Salvador on vacation and she did not hesitate to attend the event to support Menjívar once she found out about it.
Ruby Corado backs transgender Central American Parliament candidate|Michael K. Lavers|February 11, 2021|Washington Blade
The compromise she set with the hotel union and one of the platforms would cap the number of permits the city gives for vacation rentals at about 6,500, including more than 1,000 just for Mission Beach.
What’s Behind the Effort to Recall Council President Jen Campbell|Scott Lewis|February 9, 2021|Voice of San Diego
All three taste like being on vacation, a thing people used to do.
From the Cut: 33 Valentine’s Day Gifts for the Foodie in Your Life|The Cut Staff|February 8, 2021|Eater

We also want to take care of all of the folks who love to print on the go, whether that be pictures from a recent vacation or driving directions for off-road adventures.
Best all-in-one printer: Upgrade your home office with these multitasking machines|Carsen Joenk|February 8, 2021|Popular-Science
The rapid rise of the sharing economy is changing the way people around the world commute, shop, vacation, and borrow.
Why Do ‘Progressives’ Want to Ban Uber and AirBnB?|Adam Thierer, Christopher Koopman|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Sanders, a representative of the Northeastern vacation state of Vermont, also opposes fossil fuel development.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats|Joel Kotkin|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Christmas Vacation was the last production from the original company that started with Animal House.
Dinner at Nitehawk Cinema: ‘Christmas Vacation’ and a Beer in a Pear Tree|Rich Goldstein|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her father split by the time she was 11—he moved out while the rest of the family was on vacation.
A First Lady of Punk Rock Talks|Justin Jones|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Prepare for takeoff, because quality vacation time will certainly boost your mood.
9 Ways to Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder|DailyBurn|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are three ways in which a tourist may obtain a good idea of Britain during a summer's vacation of three or four months.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car|Thomas D. Murphy
It made us feel that one ought to have two or three years to explore Britain instead of a single summer's vacation.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car|Thomas D. Murphy
Sent Alfaretta around to tell us that 'he'd overdone hisself and was obliged to take a vacation.'
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
Jess and her mother moved during 115 the short holiday vacation.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
As it was vacation week, she let Jess go right ahead to settle things while she stuck to the typewriter.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison

British Dictionary definitions for vacation

vacation

/ (vəˈkeɪʃən) /

noun

mainly British a period of the year when the law courts or universities are closed

mainly US and Canadian a period in which a break is taken from work or studies for rest, travel, or recreationAlso called (in Britain and certain other countries) holiday

the act of departing from or abandoning property, etc

verb

(intr) US and Canadian to take a vacation; holiday

Derived forms of vacation

vacationless, adjective

Word Origin for vacation

C14: from Latin vacātiō freedom, from vacāre to be empty

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

vacation

Origin of vacation

OTHER WORDS FROM vacation

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH vacation

Words nearby vacation

Words related to vacation

How to use vacation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for vacation

Derived forms of vacation

Word Origin for vacation