evacuation

[ih-vak-yoo-ey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of evacuating, or the condition of being evacuated; discharge or expulsion, as of contents.

2. Physiology.,  discharge, as of waste matter through the excretory passages, especially from the bowels.

3. something evacuated or discharged.

4. the removal of persons or things from an endangered area.

5. clearance by removal of troops, equipment, etc.

6. the withdrawal or removal of troops, civilians, etc.

Other Word Forms

• evacuative adjective
• nonevacuation noun
• reevacuation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of evacuation¹

1350–1400; Middle English evacuacioun < Late Latin ēvacuātion- (stem of ēvacuātiō ). See evacuate, -ion

Example Sentences

Officials are also reviewing the building’s fire-management systems and evacuation routes as rescue teams continue searching the structure and identifying victims.

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"They remain grateful to America for the evacuation efforts during the crisis in Kabul."

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North Sumatra police spokesman Ferry Walintukan said authorities were focused on "evacuation and providing assistance".

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Heavy rain in the neighbouring province of Aceh over the past few days triggered floods and landslides, prompting the evacuation of nearly 1,500 people, according to the local disaster agency.

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In Malaysia, more than 19,000 people have been evacuated to safety, with 126 evacuation centres set up in the northern border areas.

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Related Words

• departure 
• exodus 
• removal 
• retreat