vacation

vacation — noun

1. An amount of time when you are free from your usual job or studies, allowing you

1.nounA2
Definition

An amount of time when you are free from your usual job or studies, allowing you to rest, travel, or enjoy activities.

Example

Walid applied for two weeks of vacation to visit his parents in Morocco.

take/have [period] of vacation

Jabari never checks work messages when he is on vacation.

on vacation (prepositional phrase)

Common collocations
  • take a vacation
  • go on vacation
  • need a vacation
  • plan a vacation
  • annual vacation
  • paid vacation
  • family vacation
Synonyms
  • holiday

    British English equivalent; much more common in UK than 'vacation' for this sense

  • break

    shorter period, often from school or routine

  • leave

    formal time off from work, often in military or official contexts

  • time off

    informal, general phrase for any rest period from work

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

go on vacation

take/have a vacation

Usage Note

In American English, this is the usual word for time off work or school. In British English, 'holiday' is far more common for this meaning.

Common Mistakes

I'm going to vacation in Japan.' (as a noun substitute)
I'm going on vacation to Japan.
use 'on vacation' as a fixed phrase, not 'to vacation' as a noun replacement.

2. A scheduled break during which teaching stops at schools and universities, and c

2.nounB1
Definition

A scheduled break during which teaching stops at schools and universities, and courts stop hearing cases.

Example

The college library will close for the winter vacation starting next week.

winter vacation / summer vacation

Hao spent his summer vacation working at a local bookstore near the university.

Common collocations
  • summer vacation
  • winter vacation
  • spring vacation
  • school vacation
  • court vacation
  • during vacation
  • vacation period
Synonyms
  • break

    more common in American English for school closures ('spring break', 'summer break')

  • recess

    formal term for a break in court or legislative proceedings

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

summer vacation

winter vacation

spring vacation

during vacation

Usage Note

This sense is especially common in British and Australian English for university terms and law court schedules. In American English, 'break' (spring break, summer break) is more frequent for schools.

vacation — verb

Word family

  • vacationer
    nounB1
  • vacationing
    adjectiveB2
  • vacate
    verbB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While all of these words describe periods away from work or school, they differ in region, length, and formality. 'Vacation' is the standard term in American English for any period of rest or travel away from work or school. 'Holiday' in British English fills the same role — a British person takes a 'holiday' in Spain, while an American takes a 'vacation' there. 'Break' suggests a shorter, often scheduled pause, especially in education ('spring break', 'tea break'). 'Leave' is formal and typically tied to employment policies ('maternity leave', 'sick leave'). 'Time off' is the most general, informal phrase and can be as short as an afternoon. For example: 'I need a vacation' (AmE) vs. 'I need a holiday' (BrE) mean the same thing; 'I need some time off' is neutral and could mean anything from a long weekend to a sabbatical.

vacation ↗holiday ↗break ↗leavetime off

Common collocations

Nouns

  • vacation days
  • vacation time
  • vacation plans
  • vacation spot

Prepositions

  • on (on vacation)
  • during (during vacation)

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'vacation' comes from Latin 'vacatio', meaning 'freedom from duty or work', from 'vacare' ('to be empty or free'). It passed through Old French 'vacacion' and entered Middle English referring to a period when a person is freed from normal duties. The modern sense of travelling for pleasure developed in the 19th century.