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.
After becoming fascinated with the criminal couple’s Depression-era story, Benton and Newman decamped to the heartland to interview people who knew them and get a sense of what the film might be. Tom Tapp, Deadline, 13 May 2025 By the next afternoon, the art crowd had decamped and Hydra returned to its serene summer pace, with other low-key art sites revealing themselves like sculptural rocks at low tide. Tony Perrottet, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2025 After Sunday services, the Gemstones and their entourage have decamped to Jason’s Steakhouse, the gang’s favorite place to hold court and hit the salad bar. Alison Herman, Variety, 5 May 2025 After graduation, the friends decamped to different cities, but people kept asking to be sent the DVD. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 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 25 May. 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!