1
: not occupied by an incumbent, possessor, or officer
a vacant office
vacant thrones
2
: being without content or occupant
a vacant seat on a bus
a vacant room
3
: free from activity or work
vacant hours
4
: devoid of thought, reflection, or expression
a vacant smile
5
: not lived in
vacant houses
6
a
: not put to use
vacant land
b
: having no heir or claimant : abandoned
a vacant estate
vacantly
adverb
vacantness
noun
Examples of vacant in a Sentence
These lockers are all vacant.
The seat was left vacant when the secretary resigned.
He had a vacant expression on his face.
Recent Examples on the Web
WellSpace Health broke ground on a Stockton Boulevard campus Tuesday, promising new mental health services for the region and filling a large office complex that has remained vacant since its construction more than 15 years ago.
—
Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
The property has been vacant since, according to Lena Pope.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
Wu also cited the end of federal American Rescue Plan Act funding that is leading the city to cut back on, or cease, funding for many discretionary grant programs that support small businesses and nonprofits, fill vacant storefronts and expand cultural programming.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Lurie said a total of 500 positions would be cut, including some vacant jobs that will be eliminated entirely.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vacant
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Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
The property has been vacant since, according to Lena Pope.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
Wu also cited the end of federal American Rescue Plan Act funding that is leading the city to cut back on, or cease, funding for many discretionary grant programs that support small businesses and nonprofits, fill vacant storefronts and expand cultural programming.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Lurie said a total of 500 positions would be cut, including some vacant jobs that will be eliminated entirely.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vacant
Cite this Entry
“Vacant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vacant. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vacant
adjective
va·cant
ˈvā-kənt 
1
: not filled, used, or lived in
a vacant house
2
: free from duties or care
a few vacant hours
3
: showing lack of thought
a vacant stare
vacantly
adverb
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