I. vāˈkāshən, və̇ˈk- noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English vacacioun, from Middle French vacation, from Latin vacation-, vacatio feedom, exemption, immunity, from vacatus (past participle of vacare ) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at vacant
1. : a respite or a time of respite from something : intermission , rest
on a vacation from acting on the screen, she appeared as a singing and dancing star in … vaudeville — Current Biography
2. obsolete
a. : freedom from work or cares : leisure
b. : time free for something else ; specifically : time for contemplation
3.
a. : a scheduled period during which activity or work is suspended : recess
b. : a period of exemption from work granted to each employee of an industry or business : a leave of absence for rest and relaxation
students hired to fill in for workers on vacation
allowed to take two weeks of vacation with pay annually
c. : an intermission in the regular teaching and studying at an educational institution (as between terms)
d. : intermission of judicial proceedings : the interval between the end of one term and the beginning of the next : nonterm , recess
4. : a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation : holidays
had a restful vacation at the beach
5. : an act or an instance of vacating (as an office, post, or house)
the chief of staff, while holding office as such, shall have the grade of general, without vacation of his permanent grade in the Air Force — U.S. Code
6. : the act of vacating an order or legal proceeding : annulment
II. intransitive verb
( vacationed ; vacationed ; vacationing -sh(ə)niŋ ; vacations )
: to take a vacation : pass one's vacation
vacationed in Europe last summer