decamp

1 of 2

verb

de·​camp di-ˈkamp 

dē-

decamped; decamping; decamps

intransitive verb

1

: to break up a camp

2

: to depart suddenly : abscond

decampment

di-ˈkamp-mənt 

dē-

noun

decampment

2 of 2

noun

de·​camp·​ment di-ˈkamp-mənt 

dē-

plural -s

: the act or process of decamping : departure from a camp

Examples of decamp in a Sentence

Verb

She took the papers and decamped.

He decamped to Europe soon after news of the scandal broke.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Heavy-hitters Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, and Ferragamo will occupy some of Saturday’s slots, while Gucci returns, after decamping to Rome last season, to show on the Friday. — Ella Graveney, Vogue, 23 July 2026

But when academics decamp to AI labs or spend more of their time working on their own companies, universities are left with fewer professors to teach the next generation of researchers. — Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026

After falsely bending the knee to Daemon (Matt Smith), pretending to swear fealty to Rhaenyra, and handing over a decoy Daeron, Ormund decamped with his army to the unfortified market town of Tumbleton. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 20 July 2026

Owner Artem Ustayev said Philadelphia summers are normally the slowest stretch of his business, as clientele decamps for the Jersey Shore. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

French décamper, from Middle French descamper, from des- de- + camper to camp

Noun

French décampement, from décamper to decamp + -ment

First Known Use

Verb

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for decamp

• encamp
• headlamp
• preamp
• revamp
• timestamp
• amp
• champ
• clamp
• cramp
• damp
• gamp
• lamp

Kids Definition

decamp

verb

de·​camp di-ˈkamp 

1

: to pack up gear and leave a camp

2

: to depart suddenly : abscond

decamped with the funds

decampment

-mənt 

noun