evacuate

e-vac-u-ate · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To remove people from a place of danger to a safer location.

  2. 2.

    To leave or cause to leave a building or area, especially because of an emergency.

  3. 3.

    To empty or remove the contents of something.

  4. 4.

    (Medical) To discharge waste from the body, especially the bowels.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    evacuate the premises — leave a building or area
  • •
    mass evacuation — moving large numbers of people to safety
  • •
    evacuation order — an official directive to leave an area

Related words

Antonyms: enter, fill, occupy
See also: evacuated, evacuation, vacate, withdraw
Synonyms: clear, empty, remove, vacate, withdraw

Etymology

From Latin evacuare ("to empty out"), from ex- ("out") + vacuare ("to empty"), from vacuus ("empty").