evacuate

verb

evac·​u·​ate i-ˈva-kyə-ˌwāt 

-kyü-ˌāt

evacuated; evacuating

transitive verb

1

: to remove the contents of : empty

2

: to discharge from the body as waste : void

3

: to remove something (such as gas or water) from especially by pumping

4

a

: to remove especially from a military zone or dangerous area

b

: to withdraw from military occupation of

c

: vacate sense 1

were ordered to evacuate the building

intransitive verb

1

: to withdraw from a place in an organized way especially for protection

2

: to pass urine or feces from the body

evacuative

i-ˈva-kyə-ˌwā-tiv 

-kyü-ˌā-

adjective

Synonyms

• clear
• empty
• vacate
• void

Examples of evacuate in a Sentence

People who live along the coast are being evacuated as the hurricane approaches.

During World War II, children were evacuated from London to the country.

Residents were ordered to evacuate the building.

Residents have been ordered to evacuate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the next few days, more than 30 bomb threats forced city hall, elementary schools, Wittenberg University, Clark State College, Springfield Regional Medical Center, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, two Walmarts and a Kroger grocery store to lock down, evacuate or temporarily close. —Maria Ramirez Uribe and Amy Sherman, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024

Fire crews evacuated three apartment units where six residents lived, the department said on the social media platform X. Marsh said the second-floor fire at the rear of the building was contained by 1 a.m., but flames damaged the third floor. —Glynis Kazanjian, Baltimore Sun, 16 Dec. 2024

An overnight standoff in Scottsdale resulted in the arrest of a gun-wielding man, but not before nearby apartments were evacuated and 64th Street was barricaded for hours. —Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 15 Dec. 2024

With some 20,000 Malibu residents ordered, or at least warned, to evacuate the looming Franklin Fire, some were left wondering why there are different rules for different people. —Chris Boyette, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to draw off morbid humors, from Latin evacuatus, past participle of evacuare to empty, from e- + vacuus empty

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

evacuate

verb

evac·​u·​ate i-ˈvak-yə-ˌwāt 

evacuated; evacuating

1

: to make empty

2

: to discharge waste matter from the body

3

: to remove something (as a gas) from especially by pumping

4

a

: to remove troops or people from a place of danger

b

: vacate

evacuate the building

evacuation

-ˌvak-yə-ˈwā-shən

noun

Medical Definition

evacuate

verb

evac·​u·​ate i-ˈvak-yə-ˌwāt 

evacuated; evacuating

transitive verb

1

: to remove the contents of

evacuate an abscess

2

: to discharge (as urine or feces) from the body as waste : void

intransitive verb

: to pass urine or feces from the body

evacuative

-ˌwāt-iv 

adjective