vacation

Everyday

1. (US, Canada) A holiday: a time away from school or work, often travelling somewhere for fun. tree →
2. (US) The time when schools or universities are closed, like the summer vacation. tree →
3. (UK, formal) The time when British universities and law courts are closed. tree →
4. (verb, US) To spend a holiday somewhere: they vacation in Florida. tree →

In the lessons

In American and Canadian children's stories a family "goes on vacation"; British, Irish, Australian and New Zealand children usually say "holiday" or "holidays" for the same thing. In maths problems vacations give days, costs and distances to work out. Phrases: on vacation, summer vacation, spring vacation, take a vacation, a vacation home.

Examples

• We went on vacation to the beach last summer. tree →
• Summer vacation lasts about ten weeks in our town. tree →
• Dad took a week's vacation from work. tree →
• They vacation at the lake every year. tree →
• Our vacation cost 1,200 dollars for the hotel and 300 dollars for food. tree →
• In Britain my cousin calls it "the summer holidays". tree →
• While the family was on vacation, a neighbour fed the cat. tree →
• Vacation begins on the first of January and ends on the last day of December. tree →

Note

Countable noun: a vacation, two vacations. "On vacation" is the usual phrase (not "in vacation"). US: vacation; UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand: holiday(s). Do not confuse with "vacate" (to leave a place empty). In maths, if a vacation lasts 9 days and 8 nights, count carefully which is asked.