What does vacation mean?
Vacation denotes a period of leisure spent away from work, school, or everyday responsibilities, usually for rest, travel, or recreation. It can refer to the break itself, as in “take a vacation,” or to the journey and destination, as in “a vacation in Hawaii.” The noun is widely used in both British and American English, although British speakers often prefer holiday for time away from work. The verb is more characteristic of North American usage and means to take a break: “They vacation every summer.” Vacation generally conveys an expected period of freedom from routine, but it can also sound informal, especially when used for a relatively short break. Its history reflects an older sense connected with vacating or emptying a place. Today, however, its dominant meaning is a holiday or period of leave, often involving travel but not necessarily.
A period of leisure or time away from work, school, or ordinary responsibilities, especially one taken as a holiday.
"She booked a family vacation for the end of August."
In British English, holiday is often preferred when referring specifically to leave from work.
To take a holiday or spend time away from work or ordinary responsibilities.
"Every summer they vacation on the coast."
This use is especially common in North American English.
Use the plural when referring to multiple breaks from work or multiple holiday periods.
"The company offers paid vacations after five years of service."
Vacation literally grew from the idea of being free: its Latin root means “to be empty” and, by extension, “unoccupied.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vacation
Vacation entered English in the late 16th century from Latin vacationem, a noun formed from vacare, “to be empty, free, or unoccupied.” The word initially appeared in senses connected with emptying or freeing a place, before becoming established for a period of leisure or holiday. Related English words include vacate, vacancy, vacuous, and evacuate, all of which reflect the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How vacation is actually used
As a verb, vacation is especially common in North American English. In British English, the noun is common, but holiday is often the more usual term for a work-related break. The older meaning of vacating or emptying a place is now largely literary or dated.
Easily confused with vacation
In American English, holiday and vacation are usually interchangeable, though holiday can also refer specifically to a festive day or anniversary.
Vacation is a break from work or ordinary responsibilities, whereas vacate means to leave a place empty or available.