1
: the act or process of sucking
2
a
: the act or process of exerting a force upon a solid, liquid, or gaseous body by reason of reduced air pressure over part of its surface
b
: force so exerted
3
: a device (such as a pipe or fitting) used in a machine that operates by suction
suctioned; suctioning; suctions
: to remove (as from a body cavity or passage) by suction
Example Sentences
Noun
The vacuum cleaner picks up dirt by suction.
The octopus grasps things using suction.
a vacuum cleaner with enough suction to pick up the heaviest particles of dirt
Verb
The surgeon will suction blood out of the area.
Recent Examples on the Web
Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 25 May 2023
Combining the convenience of a self-empty base with powerful suction, the methodical machine hoovers row by row, room by room for a complete clean.
—Stephanie Mlot, PCMAG, 14 Apr. 2023
Best Presidents’ Day Upright Vacuum Deals The tried and true classics, upright vacuums have powerful suction and can clean the whole house in one go without having to recharge.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2023
Turn down your vacuum’s suction to the lowest setting.
—Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 10 Feb. 2023
On January 31, in an exhibition center under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, one of the most famous cars of that bygone era proved a suction for attention as well.
—Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 2 Feb. 2023
With multi-floor mapping, adjustable suction power, and an extended runtime of 180 minutes per charge, this robot vacuum provides a superior clean.
—Mike Richard, Men's Health, 8 Jan. 2023
Displace describes this 20-pound TV will use a proprietary vacuum suction technology and can be combined to make a giant multi-panel TV display.
—Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2023
Ultimately, the prosthetics team used a suction system with a gel-like material that would stick to Winter’s torso using a kind of sleeve.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2022
Sherrie Nachman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023
Jaffe had the kind of berries-and-cream upbringing that tends to suction people into stasis and turn them stale.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2023
Dilation and curettage is a surgical procedure where the cervix is dilated and an instrument called a curette is used to suction or scrape the uterine lining, removing the baby from inside the uterus.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2023
For children and infants, CHLA recommends that you: Manage a stuffy nose by using a saline spray and a bulb to suction out the mucus.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2022
As Wanamaker knew before coming, Ingøya is a different game than Iceland, where deep-water clams are so bountiful that fishermen suction them from the ocean floor and use them as bait.
—Randall Hyman, Discover Magazine, 5 Sep. 2014
The researchers used dead clingfish because previous studies had shown the dead fish could still suction with 96 percent the tenacity of live fish.
—Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2013
Here's a smaller, highly versatile ring light that's powered by USB, and can securely suction to your desk or computer, or used on a tripod.
—Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Nov. 2022
Make sure the child is having frequent feedings (and try to suction their nose before attempting to feed them) to avoid dehydration.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 16 Nov. 2022
See More
Noun
The upright vacuum is equipped with strong suction to clean pet hair, dust, and crumbs from hard floors.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 25 May 2023
Combining the convenience of a self-empty base with powerful suction, the methodical machine hoovers row by row, room by room for a complete clean.
—Stephanie Mlot, PCMAG, 14 Apr. 2023
Best Presidents’ Day Upright Vacuum Deals The tried and true classics, upright vacuums have powerful suction and can clean the whole house in one go without having to recharge.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2023
Turn down your vacuum’s suction to the lowest setting.
—Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 10 Feb. 2023
On January 31, in an exhibition center under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, one of the most famous cars of that bygone era proved a suction for attention as well.
—Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 2 Feb. 2023
With multi-floor mapping, adjustable suction power, and an extended runtime of 180 minutes per charge, this robot vacuum provides a superior clean.
—Mike Richard, Men's Health, 8 Jan. 2023
Displace describes this 20-pound TV will use a proprietary vacuum suction technology and can be combined to make a giant multi-panel TV display.
—Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2023
Ultimately, the prosthetics team used a suction system with a gel-like material that would stick to Winter’s torso using a kind of sleeve.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2022
Verb
During cupping, small glass cup are suctioned onto your body to release muscle tension and aid in detoxifying your stress.
—Sherrie Nachman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023
Jaffe had the kind of berries-and-cream upbringing that tends to suction people into stasis and turn them stale.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2023
Dilation and curettage is a surgical procedure where the cervix is dilated and an instrument called a curette is used to suction or scrape the uterine lining, removing the baby from inside the uterus.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2023
For children and infants, CHLA recommends that you: Manage a stuffy nose by using a saline spray and a bulb to suction out the mucus.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2022
As Wanamaker knew before coming, Ingøya is a different game than Iceland, where deep-water clams are so bountiful that fishermen suction them from the ocean floor and use them as bait.
—Randall Hyman, Discover Magazine, 5 Sep. 2014
The researchers used dead clingfish because previous studies had shown the dead fish could still suction with 96 percent the tenacity of live fish.
—Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2013
Here's a smaller, highly versatile ring light that's powered by USB, and can securely suction to your desk or computer, or used on a tripod.
—Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Nov. 2022
Make sure the child is having frequent feedings (and try to suction their nose before attempting to feed them) to avoid dehydration.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 16 Nov. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing suction
Dictionary Entries Near suction
Cite this Entry
“Suction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suction. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
suction
noun
suc·tion
ˈsək-shən
1
: the act or process of sucking
2
a
: the action or process of drawing something (as liquid or dust) into a space (as a vacuum cleaner or a pump) by removing air from the space
b
: the force caused by suction
Medical Definition
suction
1 of 2 noun
suc·tion
ˈsək-shən 
1
: the act or process of sucking
2
a
: the act or process of exerting a force upon a solid, liquid, or gaseous body by reason of reduced air pressure over part of its surface
b
: force so exerted
3
: the act or process of removing secretions or fluids from hollow or tubular organs or cavities by means of a tube and a device (as a suction pump) that operates on negative pressure
suction
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to remove from a body cavity or passage by suction
More from Merriam-Webster on suction
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