vacate

verb

va·​cate ˈvā-ˌkāt How to pronounce vacate (audio) vā-ˈkāt How to pronounce vacate (audio)
vacated; vacating
Synonyms of vacate

transitive verb

1
a
: to deprive of an incumbent or occupant
b
: to give up the incumbency or occupancy of
2
: to make legally void : annul

intransitive verb

: to vacate an office, post, or tenancy

Synonyms of vacate

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Examples of vacate in a Sentence

She refused to vacate her post even under increased pressure. The election will fill the congressional seat vacated by the retiring senator. The police told everyone to vacate the premises. Students must vacate their rooms at the end of the semester. The court vacated the conviction.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Independence City Charter calls for a special election if a council seat is vacated with more than 15 months left in the outgoing councilmember’s term. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 After Andrew lost his royal titles in October 2025 and was forced to vacate Royal Lodge, Ferguson also had to find somewhere else to live. — Lauryn Overhultz , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 According to The Times, the Royal Lodge—which Andrew and Sarah Ferguson were forced to vacate in early 2026—may soon be on the market. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 1 Sep. 2026 The team added more than 40 newcomers to the roster, including Georgia Southern transfer JC French IV, who steps into the starting spot vacated by Sorsby. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vacate

Word History

Etymology

New Latin vacātus, past participle of vacāre "to annul," going back to Latin, "to be empty, have space" (sense probably by confusion with Medieval Latin vacuāre "to annul," going back to Latin, "to empty," derivative of vacuus "empty") — more at vacant, vacuum entry 1

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of vacate was in 1643

Rhymes for vacate

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Browse Nearby Words

vacatable
vacate
vacation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vacate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vacate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vacate

verb
va·​cate ˈvā-ˌkāt How to pronounce vacate (audio) vā-ˈkāt How to pronounce vacate (audio)
vacated; vacating
: to leave vacant

Legal Definition

vacate

verb
va·​cate
vacated; vacating

transitive verb

1
: to make void : annul, set aside
vacate a lower court order
2
a
: to make vacant
b
: to give up the occupancy of

intransitive verb

: to vacate an office, post, or tenancy
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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