# bivouac

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbɪv.u.æk/ · frequency rank #69,687

## Definitions
1. An encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering.
2. Any temporary encampment.
3. A temporary shelter constructed generally for a few nights.
4. The watch of a whole army by night, when in danger of surprise or attack.
5. A structure formed by migratory ants out of their own bodies to protect the queen and larvae.

## Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from French bivouac (earlier biouac, bivac), from Alemannic German Biiwacht (“reinforcements of guard or town watch”), from bii- + Wacht (“watch, guard”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/bivouac