Va*ca"tion (?), n. [F., fr. L. vacatio a being free from a duty, service, etc., fr. vacare. See Vacate.]

1. The act of vacating; a making void or of no force; as, the vacation of an office or a charter.

2. Intermission of a stated employment, procedure, or office; a period of intermission; rest; leisure.

It was not in his nature, however, at least till years had chastened it, to take any vacation from controversy.

Hence, specifically: -

(a) (Law) Intermission of judicial proceedings; the space of time between the end of one term and the beginning of the next; nonterm; recess. "With lawyers in the vacation." Shak.

(b) The intermission of the regular studies and exercises of an educational institution between terms; holidays; as, the spring vacation.

(c) The time when an office is vacant; esp. (Eccl.), the time when a see, or other spiritual dignity, is vacant.

Va*ca"tion (?), n. [F., fr. L. vacatio a being free from a duty, service, etc., fr. vacare. See Vacate.]

1. The act of vacating; a making void or of no force; as, the vacation of an office or a charter.

2. Intermission of a stated employment, procedure, or office; a period of intermission; rest; leisure.

It was not in his nature, however, at least till years had chastened it, to take any vacation from controversy.

Hence, specifically: -

(a) (Law) Intermission of judicial proceedings; the space of time between the end of one term and the beginning of the next; nonterm; recess. "With lawyers in the vacation." Shak.

(b) The intermission of the regular studies and exercises of an educational institution between terms; holidays; as, the spring vacation.

(c) The time when an office is vacant; esp. (Eccl.), the time when a see, or other spiritual dignity, is vacant.

• (US) leisure time, at least a whole day but usually longer (typical are one to three weeks), away from work or duty and devoted to rest or pleasure.
  
• (US) (law) the act of making legally void.
  
• the act of vacating something; moving out of something.
        The Conservative Party's vacation of the centre ground gave an opportunity to its opponents.
  
• a holiday period for a law court or university.
  
• (intransitive) To spend or take a vacation.
       This year, we're vacationing in Mexico.