decamp

verb

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

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.
Joe Cole, late of Peaky Blinders, plays Ethan, a former petty teen gangster from Las Vegas who has decamped to Los Angeles and made an honest man of himself. Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026 Kalanick is the latest tech boss to decamp to Texas from California’s technology locus. Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026 Michael and Jenna Morton decided to decamp the chilly temps of Chicago for the sunny desert clime of Las Vegas back in 2003. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2026 With the cast in place, the entire team decamped to Berlin in March of 2004 to begin filming for several months, a period that would impact the cast members in different ways. Matthew Huff, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026 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 22 Mar. 2026.

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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