aspiration

noun

as·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌa-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce aspiration (audio)
1
a
: a strong desire to achieve something high or great
an aspiration to become famous
usually plural
a young man with political/literary aspirations
b
: an object of such desire
An acting career is her aspiration.
2
: a drawing of something in, out, up, or through by or as if by suction: such as
a
: the act of breathing and especially of breathing in
b
: the withdrawal (as by suction) of fluid or tissue from the body
the aspiration of stomach fluids
c
: the taking of foreign matter into the lungs with the respiratory current
problems caused by the aspiration of fluids into the patient's lungs
3
linguistics
a
: audible breath that accompanies or comprises a speech sound
b
: the pronunciation or addition of an aspiration
the aspiration of the letter "h" in "a house"
also : the symbol of an aspiration
Choose the Right Synonym for aspiration

ambition, aspiration, pretension mean strong desire for advancement.

ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire.

driven by ambition

aspiration implies a striving after something higher than oneself.

an aspiration to become president someday

pretension suggests ardent desire for recognition of accomplishment often without actual possession of the necessary ability and therefore may imply presumption.

has literary pretensions

Examples of aspiration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business who follows the auto industry, said Biden’s 2021 order was a signal of EV aspirations while Trump’s revocation is a signal of EV realities. Eric D. Lawrence, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025 Yep, the Hornets, a Big Sky program with Pac-12 aspirations, are ranked in the top 40 under new head coach Brennan Marion. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025 War has stripped us all of our lives—both figuratively and literally– of our aspirations for the future, and of our desire to live. Amal Murtaja, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025 One reason for this is that the Europeans are still looking to transition away from fossil fuels, an admirable aspiration but one that makes committing to funding additional discovery projects and supply infrastructure in the Caspian controversial despite geopolitical dangers. Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for aspiration 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of aspiration was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near aspiration

Cite this Entry

“Aspiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspiration. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

aspiration

noun
as·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌas-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce aspiration (audio)
1
: pronunciation with or as an aspirate
2
: a drawing of something in, out, up, or through by suction
3
a
: a strong desire to achieve something high or great
b
: an object of such desire

Medical Definition

aspiration

noun
as·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌas-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce aspiration (audio)
: a drawing of something in, out, up, or through by or as if by suction: as
a
: the act of breathing and especially of breathing in
b
: the withdrawal of fluid or friable tissue from the body
c
: the taking of foreign matter into the lungs with the respiratory current
aspirational adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on aspiration

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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