# evacuation

/iˈvækjəˈweɪʃən/ (US) · /ɪvˌækjuːˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/evacuation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. moving to safety

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The police ordered an immediate evacuation of the building after the fire alarm went off.
- 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. emptying a container

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

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

### 3. bodily waste

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

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

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

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

## Examples

- The fire alarm triggered a quick evacuation of the building.
- Local authorities ordered an immediate evacuation of the coastal town before the hurricane reached land.
- The successful evacuation of the stadium required coordinated efforts between security personnel and local police to prevent panic in the narrow corridors.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.