ambulance
noun (countable)
UK/ˈæm.bjʊ.ləns/US/ˈæm.bjə.ləns/
A vehicle equipped for transporting sick or injured people to and from the hospital, especially in emergencies.
Example Sentences
The ambulance arrived within minutes of the accident, providing immediate medical assistance.
After the surgery, she was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
During the storm, ambulances were on high alert to respond to any emergencies.
He called an ambulance when he noticed his friend collapsing on the sidewalk.
The paramedics loaded the injured into the ambulance and rushed them to the nearest trauma center.
Ambulances are equipped with life-saving equipment such as defibrillators and oxygen tanks.
The ambulance sirens echoed through the streets as it sped towards the scene of the fire.
Due to the heavy traffic, the ambulance took a longer route to reach the patient in time.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
A specialized vehicle for urgent medical transport and care.The word “ambulance” refers to a vehicle specially outfitted and staffed for emergency medical transportation. You’ll typically see an ambulance in high-pressure situations where time-sensitive care is critical, such as rushing an injured person from an accident scene to a hospital. In spoken and written communication, “ambulance” neatly captures the sense of urgency, life-saving measures, and professional medical staff on board.You might use “ambulance” in various contexts, both everyday and formal. For instance, in everyday conversation, you could say, “We had to call an ambulance when my neighbor fainted.” This highlights the need for rapid intervention. In more formal or descriptive writing—like a news article or a public health publication—“ambulance” may appear in phrases such as “ambulance dispatch services,” “ambulance response times,” or “the advanced life-support equipment inside an ambulance.” When used in fictional or narrative writing, the presence of an ambulance can immediately signal a moment of heightened tension or drama.It’s important to note how “ambulance” is recognized as a universal emergency symbol. In many places, the vehicle features flashing lights, a siren, and distinctive medical markings. Around the world, versions of ambulances vary—some focus solely on patient transport, while others are advanced mobile clinics equipped for on-site interventions. The word also carries social implications: quick, accessible ambulance services can be a hallmark of an effective public health system. Conversely, delayed or insufficient ambulance availability might highlight broader infrastructure or healthcare challenges.Whether you’re referencing a real-life event, detailing a healthcare scenario in writing, or describing a dramatic moment in fiction, “ambulance” is precise and evokes urgency. It underscores the critical nature of providing immediate care, linking professional expertise with swift, organized responses. Hence, using “ambulance” responsibly ensures your audience understands the seriousness of the situation and the critical action needed to preserve life and well-being.
Alternatives
Depending on your purpose, you might choose alternative phrases or related terms. “Emergency medical vehicle” conveys the same idea without using the exact word, though it’s more general. “EMS transport” (short for Emergency Medical Services transport) can underscore the broader system supporting patient care. If you need to emphasize specialized capabilities, you might refer to a “mobile intensive care unit,” which highlights advanced life support functions. In casual conversation, a simple “medical van” or “hospital vehicle” might pop up, but these are less precise. Another approach could be to mention the local emergency services name or code. Some countries rely on a single-digit or multi-digit system (like 911 in the United States or 999 in the UK) to request an ambulance, so “calling 911” or “dialing 999” can become shorthand for summoning emergency transport. Each variant captures some aspect of urgent medical intervention, but “ambulance” remains the most universally recognized term, instantly calling up images of sirens, medical staff, and vital rescue operations.
Writing
In formal or academic writing, discuss “ambulance” within its broader context, such as healthcare infrastructure or emergency management strategies. For instance, a research paper on response times might say, “Ambulance arrival time significantly impacts patient survival rates in cardiac emergencies,” indicating the vehicle’s role in life-saving interventions. It’s helpful to provide specific data or examples, like average arrival times or comparisons between rural and urban regions. When writing policy briefs, you could highlight the importance of ambulance funding, staff training, and technology upgrades. This encourages legislators or stakeholders to view ambulances not just as vehicles but as integral components of a functioning public health system. In descriptive or creative writing—like a novel or short story—an ambulance scene can ramp up tension, symbolizing both crisis and hope for recovery. By specifying an ambulance’s visual elements (flashing lights, paramedics in uniform, advanced life-support tools), you immerse your readers in the urgency of a medical emergency. Ultimately, showing how an ambulance interacts with patients, bystanders, or healthcare facilities reveals the vehicle’s pivotal role, ensuring readers grasp its significance for saving lives and stabilizing critical conditions.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “ambulance” usually comes up during accidents or health emergencies. You might say, “I had to call an ambulance for my coworker who slipped and fell,” or, “I saw an ambulance rush by this morning with its siren blaring.” Such statements emphasize swift reactions and the seriousness of an emergency. Friends and family often share stories of ambulance rides, explaining how stressful or scary it was, yet also how reassuring it felt to have immediate medical attention. You can also use “ambulance” in a lighthearted way, though it’s less common. For example, someone might joke, “I might need an ambulance if I keep trying these daredevil skateboarding tricks,” subtly acknowledging the risk but using humor to soften the concern. Still, it’s good to remember that ambulances primarily deal with critical, sometimes life-threatening situations. Whether sharing a personal emergency anecdote or discussing traffic inconveniences caused by an ambulance, the underlying tone is usually one of respect for these essential vehicles. They’re a vital symbol of help, urgency, and professional care. On social media or in group chats, referencing an ambulance can spark a sense of community concern—people often immediately ask, “Is everyone okay?” or “Do you need any help?” This spontaneous support underscores how the word “ambulance” naturally resonates with compassion, prompting others to offer assistance or advice. Even in casual settings, acknowledging an ambulance’s presence reminds us of our shared responsibility to give way on the road and respect the needs of medical responders, fostering empathy and understanding.
Etymology
The word “ambulance” traces back to the French term “ambulance volante,” meaning “flying hospital,” used to describe mobile field hospitals during wartime in the late 18th century. However, its deeper linguistic roots lie in the Latin verb “ambulare,” which means “to walk or move about.” Initially, “ambulance” referred to any portable medical facility that followed an army, moving around to care for the wounded. Over the 19th century, advances in medicine and transportation shaped the modern ambulance concept. Innovations in vehicles, from horse-drawn carriages to motorized vans, enhanced the speed and efficiency of patient transport. With time, the design evolved to incorporate essential medical supplies, eventually becoming the robust, well-equipped ambulances we recognize today—complete with oxygen tanks, defibrillators, and paramedics capable of delivering advanced life support on the road. The transformation from a makeshift solution on battlefields to a critical component of public health systems signifies society’s growing emphasis on timely medical care. Now, ambulances come in many forms—road vehicles, helicopters, even specialized watercraft—demonstrating how the core idea of a mobile medical unit continues to adapt. Through this long evolution, the word “ambulance” preserves its historical essence: a moving resource that brings medical help wherever it’s urgently needed.