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.
Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali (and head coach Eddie Howe) have all vacated St James’ Park since last September. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026 The city then filed a civil suit asking the court to vacate the ruling, arguing that Shurin exceeded his authority in deciding what Biscari’s punishment would be when that was not at issue in the grievance. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026 Sky Zone, an indoor play area with 290 franchises across the country, has signed a lease to take over the space being vacated by Office Depot at the Grapevine Towne Center, which is expected to close at the end of August. — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2026 Murrill did not, however, address the fact that the court vacated the deal because prosecutors intentionally withheld key information, according to court records. — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 6 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
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Cite this Entry

“Vacate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vacate. Accessed 15 Aug. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on vacate

Nglish: Translation of vacate for Spanish Speakers

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