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

However, this child was left vulnerable...and [their parents] now faced the anguish of watching their child fight for their life on a ventilator. —Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2025

The iron lung — a full-body ventilator famously used to aid polio patients — was used as early treatment of TB. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025

However, there were not any differences between the groups in terms of how many people died from COVID-19 and how much time patients spent on ventilators. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025

The six-bed site in Chatsworth provides day-to-day medical care to assist mentally alert people who rely on ventilators, are quadriplegic or have other kinds of serious needs, but in a small setting that feels like a suburban home. —Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 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.