suction

1 of 2

noun

suc·​tion ˈsək-shən How to pronounce suction (audio)
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
suctional adjective

suction

2 of 2

verb

suctioned; suctioning; suctions

transitive verb

: 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
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

Etymology

Noun

Late Latin suction-, suctio, from Latin sugere to suck — more at suck

First Known Use

Noun

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of suction was in 1626

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.

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 How to pronounce suction (audio)
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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