An exodus is when a large group of people leave a place all at once, usually because they need to escape danger, find better conditions, or start fresh somewhere else. The word suggests a massive, purposeful departure, with many people moving together with clear intention and urgency.

Today, we use exodus whenever we see a major movement of people. During natural disasters, there might be an exodus from coastal cities as hurricanes approach. When a factory closes, there might be an exodus of workers from the town as families move away to find new jobs.

You'll also hear the word used more casually. At the end of a school assembly, there's often an exodus toward the exits as everyone rushes to their next class. After the final bell on Friday, there's an exodus of students eager to start their weekend. In these cases, exodus captures that feeling of a lot of people moving together with clear purpose and energy.