aspirate

1 of 2

noun

as·​pi·​rate ˈa-sp(ə-)rət 

1

: an independent sound \h\ or a character (such as the letter h) representing it

2

: a consonant having aspiration as its final component

in English the \p\ of pit is an aspirate

3

: material removed by aspiration

aspirate

2 of 2

verb

as·​pi·​rate ˈa-spə-ˌrāt 

aspirated; aspirating

transitive verb

1

: to pronounce (a vowel or a consonant) with aspiration (see aspiration sense 3a)

2

a

: to draw by suction

b

: to remove (something such as blood) by aspiration

c

: to take into the lungs by aspiration

Examples of aspirate in a Sentence

Noun

The word “hour” is not pronounced with an aspirate.

Verb

The letter “h” in “house” is aspirated, but the “h” in “hour” is not.

She began coughing when she aspirated some orange juice.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

According to veterinary oncologists, a fine needle aspirate to see what kinds of cells it’s made of is almost always in order in these cases. — Dr. Patty Khuly, miamiherald, 5 July 2018

Any small growth can first be evaluated by relatively simple cytology and a good way to do this is an FNA or fine needle aspirate. — Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025

Verb

Of this bunch, only the Ferraris are naturally aspirated. — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 8 Apr. 2026

There, veterinarians discovered that the turtle had aspirated (breathed in) large amounts of seawater and sand, resulting in a significant blockage in his airways. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin aspiratus, past participle of aspirare

First Known Use

Noun

1617, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for aspirate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

aspirate

1 of 2 verb

as·​pi·​rate ˈas-pə-ˌrāt 

aspirated; aspirating

1

: to pronounce with an initial \h\

2

: to remove (as blood) by suction

aspirate

2 of 2 noun

as·​pi·​rate ˈas-p(ə-)rət 

: the sound \h\ or a letter or symbol representing it

Medical Definition

aspirate

1 of 2 transitive verb

as·​pi·​rate ˈas-pə-ˌrāt 

aspirated; aspirating

1

: to draw by suction

2

: to remove (as blood) by aspiration

the portal vein is exposed and blood is aspirated with a 50-ml. syringe

—Biological Abstracts

3

: inhale

aspirated material into the respiratory tract

—Anesthesia Digest

aspirate

2 of 2 noun

as·​pi·​rate ˈas-p(ə-)ret 

: material removed by aspiration