decamp

verb

de·​camp di-ˈkamp How to pronounce decamp (audio)
dē-
decamped; decamping; decamps

intransitive verb

1
: to break up a camp
2
: to depart suddenly : abscond
decampment noun

Examples of decamp in a Sentence

She took the papers and decamped. He decamped to Europe soon after news of the scandal broke.
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.
Now, Jenner has decamped to Paris amidst the spring 2026 menswear shows. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 25 June 2025 These dads are not decamping into depressing one-bedrooms. Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 20 June 2025 That’s when American legends like Louis Armstrong, Stan Getz and Dexter Gorden decamped to Denmark and give the capital one of the most flourishing jazz scenes in the world. Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025 Up in the sky, the apartments in the gleaming towers of Billionaires’ Row sit idle while their owners decamp to one of their other homes, thousands of miles away. Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for decamp

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of decamp was in 1676

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decamp. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

decamp

verb
de·​camp di-ˈkamp How to pronounce decamp (audio)
1
: to pack up gear and leave a camp
2
: to depart suddenly : abscond
decamped with the funds
decampment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on decamp

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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