vacate

[ vey-keytor, especially British, vuh-keyt, vey- ]

verb (used with object)

, va·cat·ed, va·cat·ing.

1. to give up possession or occupancy of:

   to vacate an apartment.

2. to give up or relinquish (an office, position, etc.):

   She recently vacated her position as president of the organization.

3. to render inoperative; deprive of validity; void; annul:

   to vacate a legal judgment.

4. to cause to be empty or unoccupied; make vacant:

   to vacate one's mind of worries.

verb (used without object)

, va·cat·ed, va·cat·ing.

1. to withdraw from occupancy; surrender possession:

   We will have to vacate when our lease expires.

2. to give up or leave a position, office, etc.
3. to leave; go away.

vacate

/ vəˈkeɪt /

verb

1. to cause (something) to be empty, esp by departing from or abandoning it

   to vacate a room

2. also intr to give up the tenure, possession, or occupancy of (a place, post, etc); leave or quit
3. law
   1. to cancel or rescind
   2. to make void or of no effect; annul

Derived Forms

• vaˈcatable, adjective

Other Words From

• va·cat·a·ble adjective
• pre·va·cate verb (used with object) prevacated prevacating
• re·va·cate verb (used with object) revacated revacating

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacate¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin vacātus, past participle of vacāre “to be empty”; vacuum

Example Sentences

It also directed authorities to give sufficient time to the affected person to challenge the order or vacate the property.

From BBC

Worcester's vacated Sixways Stadium had been an option for Wasps to return to playing competitive rugby but in October 2023 Holland said the owners were determined to return the club to the south east.

From BBC

A veteran of the war in Afghanistan and a long-time Trump supporter, Waltz was re-elected to Congress last week - though he will have to vacate his office to serve in the White House.

From BBC

Merchan said he will decide on Trump's motion to vacate the guilty verdict based on the Trump v.

From Salon

The company’s landlord, Los Angeles developer CIM Group, said Cemex’s lease on the property was set to expire at the end of November and that it would clear the site of structures and vacate.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abandon
• annul
• depart
• dissolve
• empty
• evacuate
• give up
• move out
• quash
• quit
• relinquish
• renounce
• rescind
• reverse
• revoke
• void
• withdraw