vacate

verb

va·​cate ˈvā-ˌkāt  vā-ˈkāt 

vacated; vacating

transitive verb

1

a

: to deprive of an incumbent or occupant

b

: to give up the incumbency or occupancy of

2

: to make legally void : annul

intransitive verb

: to vacate an office, post, or tenancy

Synonyms of vacate

• abolish
• cancel
• repeal
• overturn
• avoid
• rescind

Examples of vacate in a Sentence

She refused to vacate her post even under increased pressure.

The election will fill the congressional seat vacated by the retiring senator.

The police told everyone to vacate the premises.

Students must vacate their rooms at the end of the semester.

The court vacated the conviction.

Recent Examples on the Web

Horvath is seeking reelection in District 3, and Durazo is running for the District 1 seat being vacated by Hilda Solis. —Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026

Meanwhile, Pierson recessed proceedings to begin drafting an order to vacate the original injunction and add Imhoff as a party to the hearing on whether Penman should be restored to the office he was forced from in January 2025. —Bryan P. Sears, Baltimore Sun, 29 May 2026

Ensure your home is securely locked when vacating the premises. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026

The judge stressed the narrow grounds on which an arbitration award can be vacated and concluded Tatis failed to offer a valid reason to overcome that standard of review. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin vacātus, past participle of vacāre "to annul," going back to Latin, "to be empty, have space" (sense probably by confusion with Medieval Latin vacuāre "to annul," going back to Latin, "to empty," derivative of vacuus "empty") — more at vacant, vacuum entry 1

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Rhymes for vacate

• placate

Kids Definition

vacate

verb

va·​cate ˈvā-ˌkāt  vā-ˈkāt 

vacated; vacating

: to leave vacant

Legal Definition

vacate

verb

va·​cate

vacated; vacating

transitive verb

1

: to make void : annul, set aside

vacate a lower court order

2

a

: to make vacant

b

: to give up the occupancy of

intransitive verb

: to vacate an office, post, or tenancy