Call an Ambulance: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：summon an ambulance (call an ambulance)

call an ambulance 🔊

/kɔːl æn ˈæmbjələns/

phr. v.

To phone for an ambulance to come and help in a medical emergency.

Person calling an ambulance on smartphone with ambulance in background

summon an ambulance 🔊

➕

/ˈsʌmən æn ˈæmbjʊləns/

phr. v.

To make a phone call to emergency services requesting that an ambulance be dispatched to a location for medical assistance.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Call from Old English 'ceallian'; ambulance from Latin 'ambulare' (to walk), via French.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine shouting 'Call an ambulance!' while pointing at a phone; urgency makes it stick.

📖 Example

When he slipped on the ice and couldn't get up, I knew I had to call an ambulance immediately. 🔊 When he slipped on the ice and couldn't get up, I knew I had to call an ambulance immediately.

🔗 Collocations

call an ambulance for help – request an ambulance to provide medical assistance

dial emergency and call an ambulance – use the emergency number to summon an ambulance

decide to call an ambulance – make the decision to request emergency medical transport

🔄 Synonyms

summon emergency services (phr. v.) – to call for professional medical help in an urgent situation

request an ambulance (phr. v.) – to ask for an ambulance to be sent

call for medical help (phr. v.) – to phone for medical assistance

🚫 Antonyms

ignore the emergency (phr. v.) – to not respond to a medical crisis

handle it alone (phr. v.) – to try to manage the situation without professional help

📖 Cultural Story

The phrase became common with the development of emergency medical services in the 20th century. In many countries, dialing 911 invokes this immediate action.