Ambulance

Definition

Ambulance is a noun that refers to a specially equipped vehicle designed to transport sick or injured people to medical facilities. It is typically outfitted with emergency medical equipment and staffed by healthcare professionals trained in emergency care.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈæmbjələns/
• Respelling: AM-byuh-luhns

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈæmbjʊləns/
• Respelling: AM-byuh-luhns

The pronunciation of "ambulance" is nearly the same in both American and British English.

Etymology

The word "ambulance" originates from the French term "ambulance," derived from the Latin "ambulare," meaning "to walk" or "to move about." Initially, it referred to mobile field hospitals that moved with an army to care for the wounded. The modern sense of a vehicle equipped to transport patients emerged in the 19th century.

Derivatives

• Ambulant (adjective)
• Ambulatory (adjective)
• Ambulance service (noun)
• Ambulanceman (noun)
• Ambulate (verb)

Synonyms

• Emergency vehicle
• Rescue vehicle
• Medical transport

Antonyms

• None

Usage

The term "ambulance" is widely used in healthcare, emergency services, and public safety contexts to describe vehicles designated for transporting patients in need of immediate medical care. For example, "The ambulance arrived within minutes of the call," or "Paramedics transported the injured person in an ambulance." It is associated with emergency response and medical care.

Related Terms

• Paramedic: A healthcare professional who provides emergency medical care, often in an ambulance.
• First aid: Basic medical assistance given immediately after an injury.
• Emergency room (ER): A hospital area where urgent medical treatment is provided.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A vehicle for transporting patients: Refers to a specially equipped vehicle used for emergency medical transport.
  • Example: "The ambulance rushed the patient to the hospital."
• A mobile medical unit used in emergencies: Originally referring to a mobile hospital unit used on battlefields to treat the wounded.
  • Example: "During the war, field ambulances were set up close to the front lines."