vacation
vuh-KAY-shuhn
Vacation (noun) means a trip or period of time away from home taken for rest or pleasure. Example: “They booked a two-week vacation in Portugal.”
noun
1
A trip or period of time away from home taken for rest or pleasure.
"They booked a two-week vacation in Portugal."
"We are saving up for a beach vacation next summer."
"Her whole family went on vacation to the lake last week."
2
A break from work, school, or official business.
"The courts are in vacation until September."
"Students get a long vacation at the end of the school year."
"He is on vacation this week, so please email his colleague."
verb
1
To take a vacation.
"They vacationed in the mountains every summer."
"We like to vacation by the sea when the weather is warm."
"My neighbours vacationed in the countryside to escape the city noise."
How to use vacation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA holiday — time away from work or school for rest or travel.
UK vs US
"Vacation" is the standard American English word for what British English usually calls a "holiday."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
summer vacation
go on vacation
take a vacation
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Word forms
- Plural
- vacations
- Third person singular
- vacations
- Past tense
- vacationed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They booked a two-week _____ in Portugal.
Etymology
From Old French vacation, from Latin vacatio ("freedom from duty"), from vacare ("to be free, to be empty").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for vacation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for vacation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “vacation” mean?
The word “vacation” means a trip or period of time away from home taken for rest or pleasure. In plain terms, a holiday — time away from work or school for rest or travel.
How do you pronounce “vacation”?
“Vacation” is pronounced vuh-KAY-shuhn (/veɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “vacation” in a sentence?
Here is “vacation” used in a sentence: “They booked a two-week vacation in Portugal.”
What is another word for “vacation”?
Words with a similar meaning to “vacation” include annual leave, break, day off, getaway, holiday and leave.
What part of speech is “vacation”?
Depending on how it is used, “vacation” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “vacation” come from?
The word “vacation” comes from Latin. From Old French vacation, from Latin vacatio ("freedom from duty"), from vacare ("to be free, to be empty").
Is “vacation” a common word?
“Vacation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “vacation” have?
“Vacation” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a trip or period of time away from home taken for rest or pleasure.
What is the difference between a vacation and a holiday?
They mean much the same thing, but usage differs by region. In American English, vacation is the everyday word for a trip or time off for leisure. In British English, that same idea is usually called a holiday, while vacation there more often refers to university or court recess periods.
What is the difference between a vacation and a trip?
A trip is any journey from one place to another, whatever the reason, including business or errands. A vacation is specifically time away taken for rest or pleasure. Every vacation involves a trip or time off, but plenty of trips are not vacations at all.
Why are vacations important?
Vacations give people a break from work and routine, which supports rest, recovery, and mental wellbeing. Time away can reduce stress, restore energy, and improve focus on returning. They also create space for family, travel, and new experiences that everyday schedules rarely allow.
What are the types of vacation?
Vacations come in many styles. A beach or resort vacation centres on relaxation, while an adventure vacation involves hiking or sport. Others include road trips, cruises, city breaks, and staycations spent at home. The common thread is time set aside from work for rest or enjoyment.
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