ventilate

verb

ven·​ti·​late ˈven-tə-ˌlāt 

ventilated; ventilating

transitive verb

1

a

: to expose to air and especially to a current of fresh air for purifying, curing, or refreshing

ventilate stored grain

also : oxygenate, aerate

ventilate blood in the lungs

b

: to subject the lungs to ventilation

artificially ventilate a patient in respiratory distress

2

a

: to examine, discuss, or investigate freely and openly : expose

ventilating family quarrels in public

b

: to make public : utter

ventilated their objections at length

3

a

of a current of air : to pass or circulate through so as to freshen

b

: to cause fresh air to circulate through (a place, such as a room or a mine)

4

: to provide an opening in (a burning structure) to permit escape of smoke and heat

5

archaic : to free from chaff by winnowing

Synonyms

• air
• expound
• express
• give
• look
• raise
• sound
• state
• vent
• voice

Examples of ventilate in a Sentence

She opened the windows to ventilate the room.

The room was adequately ventilated.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to fire officials, the leak was under control at 9:33 p.m. Fire officials said the rooftop air handlers were turned off and the store was ventilated. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 1 Feb. 2025

For ultimate driver and passenger comfort, the front seats are heated, ventilated, and produced by Recaro, making for the ultimate blend of performance and luxury. —Christian Gilbertsen, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2025

The fire department was monitoring carbon monoxide levels and ventilating the building as of late Friday morning. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025

Even though the bibs are fully waterproof, you’ll be properly ventilated thanks to the side vents. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "discussed, aired," borrowed from Latin ventilātus, past participle of ventilāre "to expose to the air, fan, expose to consideration," from ventus "wind" + -ilāre, verbal suffix, variant of -ulāre originally in derivatives of nouns ending in -ulus, -ula, -ulum -ule — more at wind entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Kids Definition

ventilate

verb

ven·​ti·​late ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt 

ventilated; ventilating

1

: to discuss freely and openly

ventilate a complaint

2

a

: to expose to air and especially to a current of fresh air

ventilate stored grain

b

: to provide with ventilation

ventilate a room with fans

Medical Definition

ventilate

transitive verb

ven·​ti·​late ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt 

ventilated; ventilating

1

: to expose to air and especially to a current of fresh air for purifying or refreshing

2

a

: oxygenate, aerate

ventilate blood in the lungs

b

: to subject the lungs of (an individual) to ventilation

artificially ventilate a patient in respiratory distress

3

: to give verbal expression to (as mental or emotional conflicts)