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evacuation

ih-vak-yoo-AY-shuhn /ɪˌvækjuˈeɪʃn/

nounB2TOEFLIELTS

formaltechnical

The rapid and orderly removal of passengers and crew from an aircraft during an emergency.

Implies an urgent safety action designed to empty a space threatened by imminent danger.

The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'evacuare' (to clear out or make empty), formed from 'e-' (out) and 'vacuus' (empty, the same root as 'vacuum' and 'vacant'). It moved from medieval medical descriptions of body clearing to civil and aviation defense emergency standards.

Word relationships

egress: 'Egress' is a formal architectural or legal term for exit, while 'evacuation' highlights emergency clearing.
clearance: 'Clearance' means official authorization or removing obstacles, whereas 'evacuation' means emptying people from danger.

boarding: Boarding is filling an aircraft with passengers rather than removing them urgently.

Commonly confused with

Disembarkation: Disembarkation is routine orderly exit at a gate, while evacuation is an urgent flight exit due to danger.

Word family

evacuate (verb): To vacate or empty out a place in an emergency.
evacuee (noun): A person who has been evacuated from a dangerous area.

Collocations

emergency evacuation
order an evacuation
evacuation slide
evacuation drill

Example sentences

"Cabin crew are trained to execute a full cabin evacuation within ninety seconds using inflatable slides." Emergency Procedures
"The evacuation of the wounded soldiers proceeded quickly despite heavy shelling near the airfield." Historical Record

Memory hook

EVACUATION makes an area VACANT in an emergency. EVACUATION = Make empty for safety.

When not to use

Do not use to describe normal, non-emergency passenger exiting at the gate (use 'disembark').

Fun facts

Airlines must prove to aviation authorities that a fully loaded aircraft can complete an evacuation in under 90 seconds in total darkness.