relocate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to move or be moved to a new place, esp (of an employee, a business, etc) to a new area or place of employment
-
(intr) (of an employee, a business, etc) to move for reasons of business to a new area or place of employment
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has relocatedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have relocatedperfect
-
are relocatingprogressive
-
am relocatingprogressive 1st person singular
-
has been relocatingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
is relocatingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
relocatingparticiple
-
relocatessingular 3rd person
-
have been relocatingperfect progressive
Past
-
had relocatedperfect
-
were relocatingprogressive plural
-
had been relocatingperfect progressive
-
was relocatingprogressive singular
-
relocatedsimple
-
relocatedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of relocate
Explanation
When you relocate, you move to a new location and settle into a new place. If you live in New York City but you get a job in Phoenix, you'll have to relocate to Arizona to start your new career. The word relocate came into English in the 1800s from re, meaning "back, again," and locate, meaning "to settle." Relocate refers not only to moving to a new place but also to establishing yourself there. It typically involves finding a new place to live, making new friends, finding your way around your new town or city — even getting cable TV installed. For some people, this can be an exciting adventure; for others, it's a daunting challenge of to-do lists.
Vocabulary lists containing relocate
"When Cultures Meet"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Word Generation Weekly - Series 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If Pratt does relocate, he’ll miss out on the chance to vote for his preferred candidate in the general.
From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026
She said a police officer unrelated to the case had been forced to relocate, warning that "misinformation and inflammatory commentary is making a dreadful situation even worse".
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
If GM wanted to relocate the American Axle factory’s equipment and restart production elsewhere, the process would take months, Browne said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
The builder, which will soon relocate its headquarters from Los Angeles to Tempe, Ariz., operates under a built-to-order model—meaning it doesn’t begin a home until a buyer is identified.
From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026
When they got married, Uncle Max chose to be a “real old-time Indian” and relocate to the territory of his wife’s people.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
