evacuation
- 01 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.
Simple“The police ordered an immediate evacuation of the building after the fire alarm went off.”
In context“The local government coordinated a massive evacuation of the coastal regions ahead of the hurricane's expected landfall.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'of' followed by the location or the people being moved.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“The technician began the evacuation of the air from the glass chamber.”
In context“Complete evacuation of the cylinder is required before the experimental gas can be introduced to ensure purity.”
UsageCommon in engineering and physics contexts regarding pressure and gasses.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“The patient reported a normal evacuation of the bowels this morning.”
In context“Post-operative care includes monitoring the patient for regular gastric evacuation to ensure the digestive system is functioning correctly.”
UsageUsed primarily in medical or biological reports rather than daily conversation.
Synonyms
Usage evacuation of about people · evacuation orders · evacuation routes
“Governor Mike Braun’s office said more than 350 evacuations and scores of rescue and welfare checks have occurred elsewhere in the state, including at a senior mobile home community north of Indianapolis.”
“The fire, which broke out Saturday, prompted the evacuation of two small communities, but Antonopoulos said no inhabited areas were under threat Sunday.”
From Middle English evacuacioun, from Old French evacuation, from Late Latin ēvacuātiō. Equivalent to evacuate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.