ENGLISH
REFERENCE

evacuation

n.
US //iˈvækjəˈweɪʃən// UK //ɪvˌækjuːˈeɪʃən// evac·u·a·tion
  1. 1 moving to safety (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of leaving a dangerous place, like a building on fire or a city during a storm, to stay safe.

    the organized withdrawal of people from a place or area as a protective measure against a threat or disaster.

    Example

    The police ordered an immediate evacuation of the building after the fire alarm went off.

    Example

    The local government coordinated a massive evacuation of the coastal regions ahead of the hurricane's expected landfall.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'of' followed by the location or the people being moved.
  2. 2 emptying a container (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    the act of removing everything from inside a container or space.

    the process of emptying a space or container of its contents, often to create a vacuum.

    Example

    The technician began the evacuation of the air from the glass chamber.

    Example

    Complete evacuation of the cylinder is required before the experimental gas can be introduced to ensure purity.

    Usage

    Common in engineering and physics contexts regarding pressure and gasses.
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  1. 3 bodily waste (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Technical Medicine

    the act of passing waste from your body, or the waste itself.

    the physiological act of discharging waste matter from the body, or the matter so discharged.

    Example

    The patient reported a normal evacuation of the bowels this morning.

    Example

    Post-operative care includes monitoring the patient for regular gastric evacuation to ensure the digestive system is functioning correctly.

    Usage

    Used primarily in medical or biological reports rather than daily conversation.
Origin

From Middle English evacuacioun, from Old French evacuation, from Late Latin ēvacuātiō. Equivalent to evacuate + -ion.

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