ventilation

noun

ven·​ti·​la·​tion ˌven-tə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act or process of ventilating

2

a

: circulation of air

a room with good ventilation

b(1)

: the circulation and exchange of gases in the lungs or gills that is basic to respiration

(2)

: artificial respiration of the lungs

specifically : mechanical ventilation

ventilation to supply oxygen to the patient's lungs

3

: a system or means of providing fresh air

Examples of ventilation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Polestar 5’s interior is primarily designed for four people, but can carry five at a pinch, and treats them all to a four-zone climate control air conditioner, and the front seats have both heating and ventilation. —Michael Taylor, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

That's because ventilation ensures there's a proper airflow that keeps the particles moving and from settling on any surface. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025

Choose salons with good ventilation to reduce chemical exposure. —Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025

But leaders on both the left and the right should be able to agree that no family should have to worry about poor ventilation, lead pipes, or sinking floors at their child's school. —Erica Mosca, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin ventilātiōn-, ventilātiō, from ventilāre "to expose to the air, ventilate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ventilation

• artificial ventilation
• mechanical ventilation

Rhymes for ventilation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

ventilation

noun

ven·​ti·​la·​tion ˌvent-ᵊl-ˈā-shən 

1

: the act or process of ventilating

2

: circulation of air

a room with good ventilation

3

: a system or means of providing fresh air

Medical Definition

ventilation

noun

ven·​ti·​la·​tion ˌvent-ᵊl-ˈā-shən 

1

: the circulation and exchange of gases in the lungs or gills that is basic to respiration

2

: artificial respiration of the lungs

specifically : mechanical ventilation

began ventilation to supply oxygen to the patient's lungs

3

: the circulation of air through a space and especially an enclosed space