vacation

1 of 2

noun

va·​ca·​tion vā-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce vacation (audio)
və-
Synonyms of vacation
often attributive
1
: a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation
had a restful vacation at the beach
2
a
: a scheduled period during which activity (as of a court or school) is suspended
b
: a period of exemption from work granted to an employee
3
: a respite or a time of respite from something : intermission
4
: an act or an instance of vacating

vacation

2 of 2

verb

vacationed; vacationing vā-ˈkā-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce vacation (audio)
və-

intransitive verb

: to take or spend a vacation
vacationed at the shore
vacationer
vā-ˈkā-sh(ə-)nər How to pronounce vacation (audio)
və-
noun

Synonyms of vacation

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Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of vacation in a Sentence

Noun Family vacations were a high point in my childhood. When are you taking vacation this year? Employees are entitled to 120 hours of paid vacation. I don't have any vacation days left. We have a one-week vacation in February. The university will be closed for Christmas vacation. Verb hoping to vacation in Spain this summer
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Everyone knows that one of the biggest tests in a new relationship is going on vacation together. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026 The white floral print channels the actress’s effortless aesthetic, and the easy-to-style design can be paired with tank tops, T-shirts, or even worn as a strapless swimsuit cover-up for beach days and vacations. — Taylor Jean Stephan, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Verb
Coming off a hard year, six friends carry on their tradition of vacationing together — now with a baby in tow. — Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 In July 2025, they were seen vacationing off the coast of Saint-Tropez. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for vacation

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English vacacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French vacacion, borrowed from Latin vacātiōn-, vacātiō "exemption from service, respite from work," from vacāre "to be empty, be free, have leisure" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at vacant

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vacation was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing vacation

Rhymes for vacation

See All Rhymes for vacation

Browse Nearby Words

vacate
vacation
Vacation Bible School
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vacation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vacation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vacation

1 of 2 noun
va·​ca·​tion vā-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce vacation (audio)
və-
1
: a period during which activity (as of a school) is stopped for a time
2
: a period spent away from home or business in travel or amusement

vacation

2 of 2 verb
vacationed; vacationing
-sh(ə-)niŋ
: to take or spend a vacation
vacationer
-sh(ə-)nər How to pronounce vacation (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

vacation

noun
va·​ca·​tion
1
: a period in which activity or work is suspended
specifically : an interval between judicial terms
2
: an act or instance of vacating
vacation of a judgment

More from Merriam-Webster on vacation

Nglish: Translation of vacation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vacation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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