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

Related article High anxiety and whispers of a conclave: How the Vatican is dealing with Pope Francis’ hospitalization The pope continues to alternate between high flow oxygen therapy during the day and non-invasive ventilation at night, the Vatican press office said. —Sharon Braithwaite and Christopher Lamb, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025

On Tuesday, Francis was breathing with the help of supplemental oxygen but had resumed using a ventilation mask at night, the Vatican said. —Anne Thompson, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2025

That means the findings might not apply in alternate conditions, like if there are variations in ventilation and air exchange rate. —Simon Spichak, Health, 5 Mar. 2025

On Tuesday evening, the Holy See said that Pope Francis remained in stable condition, breathing with the aid of supplemental oxygen following respiratory crises the day before, though doctors planned to resume using a ventilation mask at night. —Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 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