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

• abate
• abolish
• abrogate
• annul
• avoid
• cancel
• disannul
• dissolve
• invalidate
• negate
• null
• nullify
• quash
• repeal
• rescind
• roll back
• strike down
• void

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

Chrisley Knows Best alum Julie Chrisley's seven-year prison sentence for tax evasion and bank fraud has been vacated after federal judges ruled that her case had insufficient evidence. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 23 June 2024

Cole will join a staff that has been led by Luis Gil, who has broken out after winning the fifth rotation spot that Cole’s injury vacated. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 17 June 2024

The case is still active — although his Aug. 1 advisement hearing was vacated, two review hearings for these charges are scheduled for July 18 and Oct. 18. —Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 13 June 2024

Ricky Weaver’s conviction was vacated after the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office found undisclosed evidence at the bottom of a closet, as well as undisclosed phone records. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 10 June 2024

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

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