medivac
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈmɛdɪˌvæk/
KK: /ˈmɛdɪˌvæk/
noun
Definition
A type of vehicle or service that provides urgent transport for patients to a hospital or medical center, often by air.
Example
The medivac helicopter arrived quickly to transport the injured hiker to the hospital.
Conversation
Did you hear about the medivac that landed nearby last night?
Yeah, I saw it! I hope everyone is okay.
I think it was for someone who had a serious injury.
That makes sense; it’s good to know they had a medivac available.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
evacuation
transport
rescue
Antonyms
abandonment
neglect
delay
verb
Definition
To transport patients using a medical evacuation service, typically by air.
Example
The helicopter was called to medivac the injured hikers from the mountain.
Tense Forms
Past: medivaced
Past Participle: medivaced
Conversation
Did you hear about the accident on the highway?
Yeah, I heard they had to medivac a few people to the hospital.
That's so scary! I hope everyone is okay.
Root Explanation
Medivac is a blend of 'medical' (from Latin 'medicus', meaning physician) and 'evacuation' (from Latin 'evacuare', meaning to empty or remove). The term refers to the process of evacuating patients for medical treatment.
Memory Tip
Think of 'medical' care being 'removed' or 'emptied' from one place to another — that's what medivac means.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.