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

Baltimore City Office of the Inspector General One resident said the heating and cooling units inside the rooms contained mold, while another said the ventilation fans in the bathrooms did not work, allowing moisture to build and mold to grow. — Renee Anderson, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

The cabin of the two-door uses a natural leather tone influenced by Louis Vuitton’s VVT leather, with yellow saddle stitching, Monogram Flower ventilation eyelets and diamond-pattern embossing meant to recall the malletage lining of Vuitton trunks. — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

The difference in the heat your electronics produce can make the room feel significantly more comfortable, especially if the amount of ventilation in the space is limited. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 9 Aug. 2026

That means every residential building in Switzerland is required to either build a bunker with proper blast doors and ventilation systems or developers have to earmark funds for a nearby bunker maintained by the state. — Rob Schmitz, NPR, 8 Aug. 2026

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