decant

verb

de·​cant di-ˈkant 

dē-

decanted; decanting; decants

transitive verb

1

: to draw off (a liquid) without disturbing the sediment or the lower liquid layers

2

: to pour (a liquid, such as wine) from one vessel into another

decanted the wine before the meal

3

: to pour out, transfer, or unload as if by pouring

I was decanted from the car …

—Ursula G. Bower

decantation

ˌdē-ˌkan-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Examples of decant in a Sentence

The bottles were uncorked and the wine was decanted an hour before the meal.

Recent Examples on the Web

Then presumably the tax will no longer apply, and the surviving spouse beneficiaries may wish to decant or reform those trusts to eliminate some of the restrictions that may not have been desired but for the tax requirements. —Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Some people also find the ritual of decanting to be enjoyable. —Emily Price, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Over-decanting an older bottle can lead to diminished flavors. —Emily Price, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Puzzles and Board Games Bulky puzzle and game boxes can be difficult to store, so try decanting the pieces instead. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin decantare, from Latin de- + Medieval Latin cantus edge, from Latin, iron ring round a wheel — more at cant entry 4

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for decant

• descant
• eggplant
• enchant
• explant
• implant
• preplant
• recant
• replant
• secant
• supplant
• transplant
• ant

Kids Definition

decant

verb

de·​cant di-ˈkant 

: to pour from one container into another

decantation

ˌdē-ˌkan-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

decant

transitive verb

de·​cant di-ˈkant 

: to draw off (a liquid) without disturbing the sediment or the lower liquid layers

decantation

ˌdē-ˌkan-ˈtā-shən 

noun