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

: a device (such as a pipe or fitting) used in a machine that operates by suction

suctional

ˈsək-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

suction

2 of 2

verb

suctioned; suctioning; suctions

transitive verb

: to remove (as from a body cavity or passage) by suction

Examples of suction in a Sentence

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

On whale cams, clingy fish steal the show The marine scientist who recorded the accidental close-ups of the remoras’ high-speed whale surfing had placed suction-cup cameras on humpbacks during their annual migration from Antarctica to the waters off Australia’s Queensland state. —CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025

Its suction is significantly more potent and efficient than that of a typical vacuum cleaner. —PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2025

Verb

Hold the fabric firmly to prevent it from getting suctioned into the vacuum. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025

Wearing a sleeveless, moisture-wicking workout shirt suctioned to his imposing frame, Bowyer comes across as poised, calm — almost eerily so. —David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025

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

Phrases Containing suction

• suction cup
• suction pump
• suction stop

Rhymes for suction

• duction
• ruction
• abduction
• adduction
• conduction
• construction
• deduction
• destruction
• eduction
• induction
• instruction
• obstruction

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