Evacuate
/ɪˈvækjueɪt/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo remove (someone) from a place of danger to a safer place.
/ɪˈvækjueɪt/
To remove someone from a place of danger.
The hospital evacuated its patients due to a fire.
💡 Simply: Imagine a fire alarm goes off! When people evacuate, it means they need to get out of the building because it's not safe. They go to a safer place. Like a 'get out of dodge' card, but for danger!
👶 For kids: To leave a place that is not safe and go somewhere that is safe.
More Examples
Authorities evacuated the town before the floodwaters arrived.
During the earthquake, people were instructed to evacuate the buildings immediately.
How It's Used
"The residents were evacuated from their homes due to the approaching hurricane."
"Soldiers were evacuated from the battlefield after suffering injuries."
To make empty or to remove the contents of something.
/ɪˈvækjueɪt/
To empty (a place) of occupants.
The building was evacuated due to a bomb threat.
💡 Simply: Imagine a stadium filled with fans, but there is an emergency. To evacuate the stadium, is to clear it completely of people! Think of it as emptying the place.
👶 For kids: To make a place empty by taking everyone out.
More Examples
The military evacuated the village after the attack.
The firefighters ordered the building to be evacuated.
How It's Used
"The entire stadium was evacuated within minutes after the emergency announcement."
"The doctor evacuated the fluid from the patient's lungs."
Idioms & expressions
evacuate one's bowels
To defecate
"He needed to evacuate his bowels after a long drive."
From Latin *ēvacuātus*, past participle of *ēvacuāre* meaning 'to empty out,' from *ē-* (out) + *vacuāre* (to empty), from *vacuus* (empty).
The word 'evacuate' has been used since the 17th century, initially referring to removing waste or emptying something. Its application to removing people from danger became common later.
Memory tip
Imagine a vacuum cleaner pulling people out of a dangerous situation.