营救 (yíngjiù) is a formal, written verb meaning 'to rescue'—especially in urgent or difficult situations involving captivity, danger, or entrapment. The character 营 (yíng) originally meant 'to manage' or 'to organize', and here conveys the idea of deliberate, organized effort; 救 (jiù) means 'to save' or 'to rescue'. Together, they emphasize a planned, often large-scale or heroic intervention—commonly used for rescuing people from kidnappers, war zones, natural disasters, or animals trapped in hazardous conditions.

This word appears frequently in news reports, official statements, and literature, but rarely in casual speech (where 救 or 救出 are more common). It carries a tone of gravity and moral urgency, implying risk, coordination, and sometimes international or institutional involvement. While it can apply to humans or animals, its use with animals often highlights conservation efforts—such as rescuing endangered species from poachers or oil spills.