relocate
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪləʊkˈeɪt/
US
- /ˌriˈloʊkeɪt/
Description
- move
- transfer
- settle elsewhere
Imagine a little bird whose favorite tree has been cut down. To survive, that bird might relocate - move to a new forest to build its nest and start over. To relocate is not just about a quick trip; it is often about a real change of place, usually for a clear reason. Companies sometimes relocate their headquarters to different cities, and families relocate for better job opportunities. It implies a purposeful move from one location to another to start again in a new place.
To relocate means to move someone or something to a new place, often involving a significant distance or a total change in environment. While "move" is a simpler, more general term, "relocate" suggests a more deliberate and planned action aimed at establishing a permanent presence in a new spot.
You might relocate your office to a different city to expand your business, or a family might relocate across the country for better schools. It's often used when discussing employees being transferred by a company – "The company will relocate him to their London branch." However, it isn't limited to people; you can also relocate a manufacturing plant to a more cost-effective region, or even relocate an endangered species to a safer, protected habitat.
In most cases, the word is used for a physical move rather than a figurative one. It usually refers to changing where a person, group, business, or object is based. Because of that, it often appears in formal or practical contexts such as work, housing, government planning, or wildlife protection.
The context helps show who or what is being moved, but at its core, relocate means taking someone or something from one place and setting them up in another. It is about finding a new home, a new base, or a new location for a practical reason.
Examples
- 1
After graduation
She relocated to Seattle after graduating from college.
- 2
Job requirement
The job ad said applicants must be willing to relocate for training.
- 3
Company move
The company is relocating its customer service team from Chicago to Dallas.
- 4
Disaster response
Several families were relocated after the flood damaged their homes.
- 5
Museum storage
During the renovation, the museum relocated the paintings to a secure storage room.
- 6
Event venue
If it starts raining, we'll relocate the concert to the school gym.
Usage
relocate can also be used for events that are moved to a different place
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- relocateverb
Forms
- relocatedpast tenseverb
- relocating-ing formverb
- relocatesverb