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.
That unique gallery purchased the building in 2018 for $3 million, but officials there didn’t begin planning its future in earnest until Cap City vacated its lease and closed in July 2025. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026 The school board member currently representing District 9A is Angel Velez, appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson in 2025 after Frank Niles Thomas vacated the seat. — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 The appeals panel also vacated convictions stemming from accusations that Wahhaj and his brother-in-law were preparing for attacks against the government. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 But Wednesday’s move from the Board of Elections vacates the OFC’s order and the $16,000 fine against Lewis George’s campaign. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 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
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