aerate

verb

aer·​ate ˈer-ˌāt How to pronounce aerate (audio)
aerated; aerating

transitive verb

1
: to supply or impregnate (something, such as the soil or a liquid) with air
2
: to supply (the blood) with oxygen by respiration
3
a
British : carbonate sense 2
b
: to make light or sparkling
aeration noun

Did you know?

Faucet aerators and aerating showerheads can be easily installed by homeowners to cut water (and especially hot water) use by as much as 50%. A lawn aerator removes little plugs of soil in order to let air deep into the soil, greatly improving the quality of soil that may have gotten too compacted. And a pond aerator, such as a fountain, is a necessity for an ornamental pond with no stream feeding it, since oxygen in the water is necessary to prevent the growth of algae and allow fish to live.

Examples of aerate in a Sentence

You should aerate the soil before planting the seeds.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cicadas will dig holes and tunnel through your yard, but this helps the soil since those tunnels aerate your yard, encouraging root growth for the next season. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Cicadas can aerate lawns and improve water filtration into the ground. Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 While cicadas will dig holes and tunnels in your yard, this can actually help the soil since the holes help aerate your yard and encourage root growth for the next season. Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 May 2025 Reduce compaction by aerating and avoid trampling lawns and garden beds when soils are wet. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for aerate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin āerātus, past participle of āerārī "to combine with carbonic acid," derivative of Latin āer air entry 1

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aerate was in 1789

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aerate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

aerate

verb
aer·​ate ˈa(-ə)r-ˌāt How to pronounce aerate (audio)
ˈe(-ə)r-
aerated; aerating
1
: to expose to or supply or fill to the limit with air
aerate the soil
2
: to supply (blood) with oxygen by respiration
3
: to combine or fill with gas
aeration noun
aerator
ˈa(-ə)r-ˌāt-ər
ˈe(-ə)r-
noun

Medical Definition

aerate

transitive verb
aerated; aerating
1
: to supply (the blood) with oxygen by respiration
2
: to supply or impregnate (as a liquid) with air
3
British : carbonate sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on aerate

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