Ambulance: Definition, Usage, and Key Facts

Meaning 1：emergency medical vehicle (ambulance)

ambulance 🔊

/ˈæmbjələns/

A special vehicle that takes sick or hurt people to the hospital very quickly. It has flashing lights and a loud siren, and people inside can give medical help on the way.

Ambulance vehicle diagram showing flashing lights, paramedic, and stretcher in emergency scene.

emergency medical vehicle 🔊

➕

/ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi ˈmɛdɪkəl ˈviːɪkl/

A specially equipped vehicle designed for the rapid transport of sick or injured people to a hospital while providing emergency medical care en route.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'ambulare' (to walk) + '-ance' (noun suffix), literally 'something that walks/moves'.

💡 Mnemonic

"AMBulance" helps you AMBulate (walk/move) to the hospital. The 'AMB' suggests movement.

📖 Example

When I heard the loud siren and saw the flashing red lights, I immediately pulled my car to the side to let the ambulance pass quickly. 🔊 When I heard the loud siren and saw the flashing red lights, I immediately pulled my car to the side to let the emergency medical vehicle pass quickly.

🔗 Collocations

call an ambulance – to telephone for emergency medical transport

ambulance crew – the team of paramedics and drivers operating the ambulance

ambulance siren – the loud warning sound the vehicle makes

🔄 Synonyms

EMS vehicle (n.) – Emergency Medical Services vehicle; a formal term for an ambulance.

paramedic unit (n.) – A vehicle staffed with trained paramedics for emergency response.

rescue vehicle (n.) – A broad term for any vehicle used in emergency rescue operations, often includes ambulances.

🚫 Antonyms

private car (n.) – A personal vehicle not equipped for emergency medical transport, representing non-emergency transport.

🌱 Derivatives

paramedic (n.) – A healthcare professional who provides emergency medical care, often working in an ambulance.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from the French 'hôpital ambulant' (walking hospital). In the Napoleonic Wars, Dominique Jean Larrey's 'flying ambulance' was a horse-drawn cart that quickly transported wounded soldiers from the battlefield, establishing the modern concept.