ventilator

noun

ven·​ti·​la·​tor ˈven-tə-ˌlā-tər 

plural ventilators

: something or someone that ventilates: such as

a

: a device for introducing fresh air or expelling foul or stagnant air

b

: a device for maintaining artificial respiration

especially : a mechanized device that enables the delivery or movement of air and oxygen into the lungs of a patient whose breathing has ceased, is failing, or is inadequate : mechanical ventilator

Note: Modern, computerized mechanical ventilators typically monitor and customize gas delivery, maintain a constant pressure in the lungs to prevent the alveoli from collapsing, and deliver air and oxygen to the lungs by way of an endotracheal tube.

Examples of ventilator in a Sentence

The patient was put on a ventilator.

Recent Examples on the Web

His heart has begun to recover from full cardiac arrest, his lungs have become stronger, the ventilator is only at 25%, and dialysis has been reduced to an intermittent need. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 15 Oct. 2024

In an update on Aug. 24, Allison said Melissa was recovering and was taken off the ventilator and was awake and talking a little. —Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 14 Sep. 2024

Two years ago, at the Shed in New York City, there was a version that was filled with a ventilator. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 9 Sep. 2024

Joe Casey, 54, is on a ventilator at Exeter Hospital, and has tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), West Nile Virus, and St. Louis encephalitis — all mosquito-bourne illnesses. —Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ventilate + -or entry 1 (perhaps after Latin ventilātor "winnower")

First Known Use

1743, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ventilator

• mechanical ventilator

Kids Definition

ventilator

noun

ven·​ti·​la·​tor ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt-ər 

1

: a device for letting in fresh air or driving out bad or stale air

2

: respirator sense 2

Medical Definition

ventilator

noun

ven·​ti·​la·​tor ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt-ər 

: a device for maintaining artificial respiration

especially : a mechanized device that enables the delivery or movement of air and oxygen into the lungs of a patient whose breathing has ceased, is failing, or is inadequate : mechanical ventilator

Note: Modern, computerized mechanical ventilators typically monitor and customize gas delivery, maintain a constant pressure in the lungs to prevent the alveoli from collapsing, and deliver air and oxygen to the lungs by way of an endotracheal tube.