English · Word Candidate

ambulance

/ˈæm.bjə.ləns/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: ambulances · ambulancing · ambulanced

Sense 1

Meaning · English

An emergency vehicle designed for transporting seriously ill or injured people to a hospital.

Noun

Examples

The NHS is bracing itself for its worst ever winter crisis descending in the next fortnight because of a worsening “flu-nami” that has left hospitals, GP surgeries and ambulances services under intense strain.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A mobile field hospital.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To transport by ambulance.

Verb

Examples

Ambulancing patients with acute obstruction over cobble and rails should not be tolerated; better render the necessary service where the patient is found.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “ambulance” mean?

An emergency vehicle designed for transporting seriously ill or injured people to a hospital.

Is “ambulance” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.