holiday camp: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Neutral
Quick answer
What does “holiday camp” mean?
A commercial establishment providing lodging, food, and organized recreational activities for vacationers, typically in a self-contained location.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A commercial establishment providing lodging, food, and organized recreational activities for vacationers, typically in a self-contained location.
A resort-style complex offering all-inclusive, often family-oriented entertainment and accommodation; historically a distinctive British social institution for working-class vacations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is strongly British. In American English, the closest equivalents are 'summer camp' (often for children), 'family camp', or 'resort', but the concept of a commercial, all-inclusive, entertainment-driven camp for families is less culturally codified.
Connotations
UK: Can evoke nostalgia, working-class heritage, and a specific post-war social history (e.g., Butlin's, Pontin's). US: The term might sound unfamiliar or be interpreted literally as a 'camp for holidays' rather than a specific institution.
Frequency
Common in UK English, especially in historical or cultural contexts. Very rare in American English except in direct references to the British phenomenon.
Grammar
How to Use “holiday camp” in a Sentence
at the/a holiday campholiday camp for familiesholiday camp in [location]go to a holiday campVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “holiday camp” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- a holiday-camp atmosphere
- holiday-camp entertainment
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in tourism/hospitality sectors discussing package holidays, UK domestic tourism history, or resort management.
Academic
Appears in cultural studies, social history, and tourism literature discussing 20th-century British leisure patterns.
Everyday
Used when discussing vacation plans, reminiscing about childhood holidays, or describing a type of vacation resort.
Technical
Not typically a technical term; specific hospitality industry terms like 'integrated resort' or 'all-inclusive property' are preferred.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “holiday camp”
- Using 'holiday camp' to refer to a campsite for tents/caravans (that's a 'campsite' or 'campground').
- Using it as a general synonym for any resort in American English.
- Incorrect: 'We pitched our tent at a holiday camp.' Correct: 'We stayed in a chalet at a holiday camp.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A campsite (or campground) is a place where you pitch your own tent or park a caravan. A holiday camp is a resort where you stay in provided accommodation (like chalets or apartments) and have access to organized facilities and entertainment.
Yes, especially in the UK, though many have modernized and rebranded as 'holiday parks' or 'family resorts'. The classic 1950s/60s-style camp with redcoats and ballroom dancing is less common but still has a nostalgic appeal.
It's not a standard American term and may cause confusion. Americans are more likely to say 'family camp', 'summer camp' (for kids), or simply 'resort' depending on the specific features.
In the UK, Butlin's and Pontin's are the most iconic brands historically associated with the holiday camp concept.
A commercial establishment providing lodging, food, and organized recreational activities for vacationers, typically in a self-contained location.
Holiday camp is usually informal, neutral in register.
Holiday camp: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒlɪdeɪ kæmp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːləˌdeɪ kæmp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'holiday' + 'camp' – it's like a summer camp, but for your entire family holiday, with organized fun and cabins instead of tents.
Conceptual Metaphor
HOLIDAY IS A CONTAINED, ORGANIZED SOCIAL EVENT. The camp is a bounded, regulated space where leisure is programmed.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate description of a 'holiday camp' in its primary British sense?