vacation

[ vey-key-shuh n, vuh- ]
/ veɪˈkeɪ ʃən, və- /

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.

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, noun va·ca·tion·less, adjective min·i·va·ca·tion, noun pre·va·ca·tion, noun, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH vacation

vacation vocation

British Dictionary definitions for prevacation

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 recreation Also 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