ventilation

noun

ven·​ti·​la·​tion ˌven-tə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce ventilation (audio)
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
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.
In Atlanta, city officials employ AI sensors that predict when public infrastructure—like heating or ventilation systems—may fail. Darshan Tiwari, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 Also, make sure nothing is blocking the airflow of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 3 June 2025 Daniel Amezcua was among the 50 electrical maintenance students recognized, and Jacob Lima Navarro was one of 42 awarded a tool scholarship in heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 1 June 2025 How to Improve Air Quality with Ventilation The best way to clean up your home's air is to rely on ventilation. Aksha Mittapalli, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ventilation

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ventilation was in 1664

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ventilation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ventilation. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

ventilation

noun
ven·​ti·​la·​tion ˌvent-ᵊl-ˈā-shən How to pronounce ventilation (audio)
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 How to pronounce ventilation (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on ventilation

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