evacuate
verb
evac·u·ate
i-ˈva-kyə-ˌwāt 
-kyü-ˌāt
evacuated; evacuating
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
1
: to withdraw from a place in an organized way especially for protection
2
: to pass urine or feces from the body
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
More than 60 residents were evacuated after Irma. Spring Oaks resident Alan Wyland has already started stockpiling sandbags and other items in preparation for this year’s hurricane season.
—
Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Scientists had warned about the possibility of a dangerous event related to the glacier, and village residents had been evacuated days earlier—but the glacier’s near-total breakup came as a surprise.
—Jen Schwartz, Scientific American, 30 May 2025
Scientists had predicted a likely disaster and authorities evacuated the entire village of 300 people in the Valais region, south of Switzerland's capital Bern, on May 19.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for evacuate
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Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Scientists had warned about the possibility of a dangerous event related to the glacier, and village residents had been evacuated days earlier—but the glacier’s near-total breakup came as a surprise.
—Jen Schwartz, Scientific American, 30 May 2025
Scientists had predicted a likely disaster and authorities evacuated the entire village of 300 people in the Valais region, south of Switzerland's capital Bern, on May 19.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for evacuate
Cite this Entry
“Evacuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evacuate. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
-ˌvak-yə-ˈwā-shən
Medical Definition
evacuate
verb
evac·u·ate
i-ˈvak-yə-ˌwāt
evacuated; evacuating
1
: to remove the contents of
evacuate an abscess
2
: to discharge (as urine or feces) from the body as waste : void
: to pass urine or feces from the body
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