mechanical ventilation

noun

: artificial respiration using a mechanical ventilator to support the delivery of oxygen to the lungs when breathing has ceased, is failing, or is inadequate

Examples of mechanical ventilation 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.
Intubation: In severe cases, when blood oxygen levels are low and other treatments are ineffective, intubation and mechanical ventilation can support breathing. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 9 Oct. 2024 Several patients had more serious symptoms requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Nicholas Florko, STAT, 18 July 2024 Several patients have needed intubation, mechanical ventilation and admission to an intensive care unit. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024 In such a climate, conventional air-cooling and mechanical ventilation systems, though widely deployed in other regions, struggle to cope. IEEE Spectrum, 4 Feb. 2024 Doctors decided to intubate him and start mechanical ventilation. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2024 Most viral pneumonia can only be treated with supportive care, such as providing oxygen; people with severe cases may require ventilators, heart-lung machines and other forms of mechanical ventilation, Offit says. Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 19 Dec. 2023 This might require hospitalization or mechanical ventilation and can be life-threatening. Korin Miller, Health, 28 Nov. 2023 However, with the advent of the polio vaccine, and the invention of newer forms of mechanical ventilation, the iron lung gradually became obsolete. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 10 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mechanical ventilation was in 1954

Dictionary Entries Near mechanical ventilation

Cite this Entry

“Mechanical ventilation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mechanical%20ventilation. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

mechanical ventilation

noun
: artificial respiration of the lungs using a mechanical ventilator to support the delivery of oxygen to the lungs when breathing has ceased, is failing, or is inadequate
the patient was sufficiently obtunded to require intubation and mechanical ventilationSusan M. Pond et al.
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!