noun · verb · 11 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
/ˈbɪv.u.æk/
/ˈbɪv.wæk/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -æk
CMU ARPABET:B IH1 V W AE0 K
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
An encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
Any temporary encampment.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A temporary shelter constructed generally for a few nights.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
The watch of a whole army by night, when in danger of surprise or attack.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A structure formed by migratory ants out of their own bodies to protect the queen and larvae.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: biology, natural-sciences, zoology
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
verb
Meaning 6
To set up camp.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive, transitive
Examples
We'll bivouac here tonight.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
verb
Meaning 7
To watch at night or be on guard, as a whole army.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
verb
Meaning 8
To encamp for the night without tents or covering.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
noun
Meaning 9
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
wherever he went in the camp the men were grumbling
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: camp, encampment, cantonment
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: military quarters
Narrower terms: boot camp, hutment, laager, lager
10
noun
Meaning 10
a site where people on holiday can pitch a tent
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: campsite, campground, camping site, camping ground, encampment, camping area
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: site, land site
11
verb
Meaning 11
live in or as if in a tent
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
Can we go camping again this summer?
The circus tented near the town
The houseguests had to camp in the living room
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: camp, encamp, camp out, tent
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: populate, dwell, live, inhabit
History
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from French bivouac (earlier biouac, bivac), from Alemannic German Biiwacht (“reinforcements of guard or town watch”), from bii- + Wacht (“watch, guard”).
Across languages
Translations
47 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
бива́к
(bivák)
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Catalan:
bivac
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Chinese Mandarin:
露宿
(lùsù)
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Chinese Mandarin:
露營 /露营
(lùyíng)
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Chinese Mandarin:
野營 /野营
(yěyíng)
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Czech:
bivak
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Danish:
bivuak
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Dutch:
bivak
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Esperanto:
bivako
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Finnish:
leiri
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
French:
bivouac
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Galician:
bivaque
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
German:
Biwak
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Italian:
bivacco
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Japanese:
ビバーク
(bibāku)
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Japanese:
露営
(roei)
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Māori:
tīhokahoka
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Māori:
māhauhau
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Polish:
biwak
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Portuguese:
bivaque
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Romanian:
bivuac
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Russian:
бива́к
(bivák)
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Russian:
бивуа́к
(bivuák)
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Russian:
ла́герь
(lágerʹ)
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Spanish:
vivac
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Spanish:
vivaque
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Swedish:
bivack
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Turkish:
açık ordugâh
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Ukrainian:
бівуа́к
(bivuák)
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Ukrainian:
біва́к
(bivák)
— encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering
Finnish:
leiri
— any temporary encampment
Polish:
biwak
— any temporary encampment
Finnish:
majoite
— temporary shelter for a few nights
Māori:
māhauhau
— temporary shelter for a few nights
Māori:
tīhokahoka
— temporary shelter for a few nights
Māori:
pōrukuruku
— temporary shelter for a few nights
Polish:
biwak
— temporary shelter for a few nights
