evacuation
ih-vak-yoo-AY-shuhn
Evacuation (noun) means the organized removal of people from a dangerous place. Example: “The evacuation of the coastal towns went smoothly.”
noun
1
The organized removal of people from a dangerous place.
"The evacuation of the coastal towns went smoothly."
"Officials ordered an evacuation ahead of the wildfire."
"The fire alarm triggered a full evacuation of the building."
2
(medical) The discharge of waste from the body, such as during a bowel movement.
"The nurse noted the patient's evacuation had returned to normal."
"The doctor asked whether the patient's evacuation was regular."
"Pain during evacuation should be reported to a nurse."
How to use evacuation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMoving people out of danger, or, in medical contexts, the body getting rid of waste.
Common pairings
mass evacuation
evacuation order
evacuation route
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Word forms
- Plural
- evacuations
Fill the gap
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The _____ of the coastal towns went smoothly.
Etymology
From Old French evacuation, from Late Latin ēvacuātiō — built on the same root as evacuate.
Synonyms
View more →
removal
relocation
exodus
withdrawal
displacement
clearance
excreting
voiding
emptying
elimination
voidance
excretion
Related words
Rhymes for evacuation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for evacuation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “evacuation” mean?
The word “evacuation” means the organized removal of people from a dangerous place. In plain terms, moving people out of danger, or, in medical contexts, the body getting rid of waste.
How do you pronounce “evacuation”?
“Evacuation” is pronounced ih-vak-yoo-AY-shuhn (/ɪˌvækjuˈeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “evacuation” in a sentence?
Here is “evacuation” used in a sentence: “The evacuation of the coastal towns went smoothly.”
What part of speech is “evacuation”?
“Evacuation” is a noun.
Where does the word “evacuation” come from?
The word “evacuation” comes from Late Latin. From Old French evacuation, from Late Latin ēvacuātiō — built on the same root as evacuate.
Is “evacuation” a common word?
“Evacuation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “evacuation” have?
“Evacuation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the organized removal of people from a dangerous place.
What is the difference between evacuation and relocation?
Evacuation refers specifically to the organized removal of people from a dangerous place, usually done urgently for safety reasons such as a natural disaster or fire. Relocation is a broader term that can describe any move to a new location, whether urgent or planned, dangerous or routine.
What triggers an evacuation?
An evacuation is typically triggered by an immediate danger to a population, such as a wildfire, flood, hurricane, or chemical spill, that makes staying in place unsafe.
Does "evacuation" only refer to moving people away from danger?
No, "evacuation" also has a specific medical meaning referring to the discharge of waste from the body, such as during a bowel movement. This sense is distinct from the more common use describing the emergency removal of people from a dangerous place.
