Vacation Leave: Definition, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：Authorized time off from work (Vacation leave)

Vacation leave 🔊

/veɪˈkeɪʃən liːv/

n. phr.

Time off from work that is approved for resting or traveling, often with pay.

Vacation leave approval papers with travel gear on desk

Authorized time off from work 🔊

➕

/ˈɔːθəraɪzd taɪm ɔːf frəm wɜːrk/

n. phr.

Permission for an employee to be absent from their job for a set period, typically for rest, travel, or personal reasons, and often with continued pay.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Vacation (Latin 'vacatio' - freedom) + leave (Old English 'lief' - permission) = authorized time off.

💡 Mnemonic

Vacation = freedom, leave = permission. Together = authorized freedom!

📖 Example

I saved my vacation leave for December so I can spend the holidays with my family in the countryside. 🔊 I saved my vacation leave for December so I can spend the holidays with my family in the countryside.

🔗 Collocations

take vacation leave – to use one's allotted vacation days

apply for vacation leave – to formally request time off

approve vacation leave – to grant permission for time off

🔄 Synonyms

annual leave (n. phr.) – Paid time off granted each year to employees

paid time off (PTO) (n. phr.) – A bank of hours that can be used for vacation, sick, or personal days

holiday leave (n. phr.) – Time off specifically for holidays

🚫 Antonyms

workday (n.) – A day when one is expected to work

sick leave (n. phr.) – Time off due to illness

📖 Cultural Story

The concept of paid vacation leave became common in the 20th century after labor movements fought for workers' rights. Today it is a standard benefit in many countries, especially for full-time employees.