What does medevac mean?
A medevac is a medical evacuation, typically by helicopter or airplane, especially in a combat or emergency situation. The term is often used in formal or military contexts, but can also be used in informal situations to refer to any type of medical evacuation. Medevacs are typically performed by trained medical personnel and are designed to quickly transport injured individuals to a hospital or other medical facility. The term has become increasingly common in recent years, particularly in the context of military operations and emergency response situations. Despite its widespread use, medevac remains a relatively specialized term, and its usage is often limited to specific contexts or industries.
nounA medical evacuation, typically by helicopter or airplane, especially in a combat or emergency situation.
- A medical evacuation, typically by helicopter or airplane, especially in a combat or emergency situation.
"The medevac team arrived quickly to transport the injured soldier to a hospital."
"The medevac team arrived quickly to transport the injured soldier to a hospital."
"The medevac was delayed due to bad weather."
The plural form medevacs is used to refer to multiple medical evacuations.
"The medevacs were delayed due to bad weather."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of medevac
The term medevac is derived from the phrase 'medical evacuation', which was first used in the 1940s to describe the process of transporting injured soldiers to a hospital during World War II. The term gained widespread use during the Vietnam War, where medevacs became a crucial part of military operations. Today, the term is used in a variety of contexts, including military, emergency response, and medical settings.
Usage notes
Medevac is typically used in formal or military contexts, but can also be used in informal situations to refer to any type of medical evacuation.