aspiration

noun

as·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌa-spə-ˈrā-shən 

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

Synonyms

• ambition
• ambitiousness
• go-getting

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

This strategy could reduce the burden of travel while opening up opportunities for drivers like Larson, who has aspirations of trying his skills at the Indy 500 in 2025. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024

Saffold walked to the front of the class and quizzed the students about their career aspirations. —La Risa R. Lynch, Journal Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024

At The Plaza Coral Gables, upscale restaurants, luxury boutiques, and premier wellness services reflect the needs and aspirations of the surrounding affluent area, creating a sense of place for locals driving traffic. —Mark Zettl, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Mars retrograde will be underway, re-entering Cancer—your 11th house of community and aspirations—on January 6. —Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

aspiration

noun

as·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌas-pə-ˈrā-shən 

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 

: 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

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective