vacation

[ vey-key-shuhn, vuh- ]

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.

verb (used without object)

1. to take or have a vacation:

   to vacation in the Caribbean.

vacation

/ 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

verb

1. intr to take a vacation; holiday

Derived Forms

• vaˈcationless, adjective

Other Words From

• va·cation·er va·cation·ist noun
• va·cation·less adjective
• mini·va·cation noun
• preva·cation noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacation¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacation¹

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

Example Sentences

If they were present, Democrats might not have been able to confirm several of Biden's judges, with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., playing they typical roles as wild cards and Vice President Kamala Harris, who casts tie-breaking votes, on vacation in Hawaii.

From Salon

Smerilli ended a beach vacation early, ran home and read the first part of the script.

From Los Angeles Times

Although the legal theory is untested, the argument is that Johnson could call for Congress to be adjourned; if the Senate fails to go along, Trump could then intervene and essentially force the legislative branch to go on vacation, allowing him to fill his cabinet while lawmakers are off in Cancun.

From Salon

Friends tell him he needs to take a vacation once in a while, he says, but he has no interest.

From Los Angeles Times

“I can’t relate to desperation,” she sang — a lie, of course, but a perfect rhyme for “My give-a-f—s are on vacation.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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