vacation
noun
vəˈkeɪʃn 
vəˈkeɪʃn veɪˈkeɪʃn veɪˈkeɪʃn 
1 [countable] (in Britain) one of the periods of time when universities or courts of law are closed; (in the US) one of the periods of time when schools, colleges, universities or courts of law are closedthe Christmas/Easter/summer vacation (British English) the long vacation (= the summer vacation) see also vac2 (North American English) (British English holiday) [uncountable, countable] a period of time spent travelling or resting away from homeThey're on vacation in Hawaii right now.You look tired—you should take a vacation.The job includes two weeks' paid vacation.a vacation home
Usage note: Travel and tourismHolidays/vacationshave/take (British English) a holiday/(North American English) a vacation/a break/a day off/(British English) a gap yeargo on/be on holiday/vacation/leave/honeymoon/safari/a trip/a tour/a cruise/a pilgrimagego backpacking/camping/hitchhiking/sightseeingplan a trip/a holiday/a vacation/your itinerarybook accommodation/a hotel room/a flight/ticketshave/make/cancel a reservation/(especially British English) bookingrent a villa/(both British English) a holiday home/a holiday cottage(especially British English) hire/(especially North American English) rent a car/bicycle/mopedstay in a hotel/a bed and breakfast/a youth hostel/a villa/(both British English) a holiday home/a caravancost/charge $100 a/per night for a single/double/twin/standard/(British English) en suite roomcheck into/out of a hotel/a motel/your roompack/unpack your suitcase/bagscall/order room servicecancel/cut short a trip/holiday/vacationForeign travelapply for/get/renew a/your passporttake out/buy/get travel insurancecatch/miss your plane/train/ferry/connecting flightfly (in)/travel in business/economy classmake/have a brief/two-day/twelve-hour stopover/(North American English also) layover in Hong Kongexperience/cause/lead to delayscheck (in)/collect/get/lose (your) (especially British English) luggage/(especially North American English) baggagebe charged for/pay excess baggageboard/get on/leave/get off the aircraft/plane/ship/ferrytaxi down/leave/approach/hit/overshoot the runwayexperience/hit/encounter severe turbulencesuffer from/recover from/get over your jet lag/travel sicknessThe tourist industryattract/draw/bring tourists/visitorsencourage/promote/hurt tourismpromote/develop ecotourismbuild/develop/visit a tourist/holiday/(especially British English) seaside/beach/ski resortwork for/be operated by a major hotel chainbe served by/compete with low-cost/(especially North American English) low-fare/budget airlinesbook something through/make a booking through/use a travel agentcontact/check with your travel agent/tour operatorbook/be on/go on a package deal/holiday/tourbuy/bring back (tacky/overpriced) souvenirsUsage note: holiday / vacationYou use holiday (or holidays) in British English and vacation in North American English to describe the regular periods of time when you are not at work or school, or time that you spend travelling or resting away from home: I get four weeks’ holiday/vacation a year. ◇ He’s on holiday/vacation this week. ◇ I like to take my holiday/vacation in the winter. ◇ the summer holidays/vacation.In North American English a holiday (or a public holiday) is a single day when government offices, schools, banks and businesses are closed: The school will be closed Monday because it’s a holiday. This is called a bank holiday in British English.The holidays is used in North American English to refer to the time in late December and early January that includes Christmas, Hanukkah and the New Year.Vacation in British English is used mainly to mean one of the periods when universities are officially closed for the students.