vacation
/vəˈkeɪʃən/
NOUN
1. A period of rest or leisure
A period of time spent away from work, duties, or regular activities for rest, relaxation, or personal enjoyment.
1.1. Taking time off for rest
A temporary break from work, responsibilities, or daily routines to relax and recover.
Synonyms
- break
- breather
- day of rest
- holiday
- time off
- leave
- leave of absence
- respite
- rest
- repose
- R and R
- relaxation
- spell
Antonyms
- work
- labor
- toil
- drudgery
- continuation
Examples
- We are planning a beach vacation for the summer break.
- After a busy year at work, he finally takes a much-needed vacation.
Related Words
- intermission
- interval
- furlough
- recess
- sabbatical
- long weekend
- few days off
- breathing space
1.2. Traveling for pleasure
A period spent traveling away from home to visit destinations, explore new places, and enjoy recreational activities.
Synonyms
Examples
- We are planning a beach vacation for the summer break.
- The family decided to take a road trip for their vacation this year.
- The couple is exploring new destinations for their upcoming vacation.
Related Words
1.3. A period of paid leave
An authorized period away from employment duties during which an employee is permitted to take time off, sometimes while continuing to receive regular pay.
Synonyms
- paid leave
- leave
- leave of absence
- furlough
- time off
- holiday
Antonyms
- work
- labor
- duty
- employment
Examples
- Employees are entitled to two weeks with pay for their annual vacation.
Related Words
- annual leave
- paid time off
- sabbatical
- long weekend
- two weeks with pay
- employee benefits
NOUN
2. A period when official activities are suspended
A designated period during which institutions, organizations, or official bodies temporarily suspend their normal business or activities.
2.1. Institutional or academic holidays
A scheduled break during which universities, schools, courts, or other institutions suspend their regular operations.
Synonyms
- holiday
- recess
- intermission
- interval
- break
- furlough
Antonyms
Examples
- The university announced its summer vacation after the final examinations.
Related Words
- academic break
- court recess
- legal holiday
- holy day
- official holiday
- suspension
NOUN
3. The act of leaving or relinquishing something
The act of vacating a place, position, or property by leaving it or giving up occupancy.
3.1. Leaving an occupied place
The act or process of moving out of a building, residence, room, or other occupied premises.
Synonyms
- departure
- leaving
- evacuation
- abandonment
- withdrawal
- emptying
- ejection
- ejectment
Antonyms
- occupancy
- occupation
- inhabitation
Related Words
3.2. Making a legal decision void
The act of officially annulling, invalidating, or setting aside a legal decision, judgment, or order.
Synonyms
- annulment
- invalidation
- nullification
- overturning
- rescission
- revocation
- reversal
- quashing
Antonyms
- validation
- confirmation
- ratification
- upholding
Related Words
- cancellation
- repeal
- abrogation
- withdrawal
- judicial review
- legal ruling
VERB
4. To spend or take a holiday
To spend a period away from regular work or duties for rest, recreation, or travel.
4.1. Taking a vacation
To take time off from work or daily responsibilities and spend that time resting, relaxing, or traveling for pleasure.
Synonyms
- holiday
- travel
- relax
- rest
- recreate
- take time off