decamp

verb

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

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.
Jesse Whittock here taking you back over the week Netflix one-shotted its way to a TV hit and Asian film buyers decamped in Hong Kong. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025 O’Donnell’s announcement comes less than four months after comedian Ellen DeGeneres and actress Portia de Rossi decamped to the U.K. from their home in California. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025 After Gamble and Huff decamped from Mercury to start up their own hit factory, Philadelphia International Records, Butler’s sales fortunes began to wane. Chris Morris, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025 Key Background Trump decamped to Mar-a-Lago after his win, holding meetings with his inner circle, administration hopefuls and transition team to craft his second term agenda and build out his staff. Sara Dorn, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025 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 28 Mar. 2025.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!