decant

1 of 2

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

decantation

2 of 2

noun

de·​can·​ta·​tion ˌdē-ˌkan-ˈtā-shən 

plural -s

: the act or process of decanting

the quality of the sand may be tested … for silt by decantation

—C. M. Gay

Examples of decant in a Sentence

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Unused guest toiletries are decanted for use in staff changing rooms. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Jan. 2026

Watch this video for tips on decanting and organizing spices. — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026

Store it in its original packaging or decant into a dark spray bottle, and keep it away from bright lights. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 18 Feb. 2026

Then, purchase ceramic paints and brushes, and have plenty of small containers on hand for decanting paint. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 5 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

New Latin decantation-, decantatio, from decantatus (past participle of decantare) + Latin -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Verb

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for decant

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

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