ventilate

verb

ven·​ti·​late ˈven-tə-ˌlāt 

ventilated; ventilating

transitive verb

1

a

: to expose to air and especially to a current of fresh air for purifying, curing, or refreshing

ventilate stored grain

also : oxygenate, aerate

ventilate blood in the lungs

b

: to subject the lungs to ventilation

artificially ventilate a patient in respiratory distress

2

a

: to examine, discuss, or investigate freely and openly : expose

ventilating family quarrels in public

b

: to make public : utter

ventilated their objections at length

3

a

of a current of air : to pass or circulate through so as to freshen

b

: to cause fresh air to circulate through (a place, such as a room or a mine)

4

: to provide an opening in (a burning structure) to permit escape of smoke and heat

5

archaic : to free from chaff by winnowing

Synonyms of ventilate

• express
• voice
• give
• air
• vent

Examples of ventilate in a Sentence

She opened the windows to ventilate the room.

The room was adequately ventilated.

Recent Examples on the Web

Higher trims add amenities such as heated and ventilated front seats, premium interior materials, and an available Mark Levinson audio system. — New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026

Firefighters remained at the scene for several hours to ventilate the large warehouse and clear smoke from the interior, according to Metro Fire. — Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Firefighters remained on scene for several hours ventilating the warehouse before employees were cleared to come back in. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

The city is urging residents to remain indoors and ventilate their homes as much as possible. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "discussed, aired," borrowed from Latin ventilātus, past participle of ventilāre "to expose to the air, fan, expose to consideration," from ventus "wind" + -ilāre, verbal suffix, variant of -ulāre originally in derivatives of nouns ending in -ulus, -ula, -ulum -ule — more at wind entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for ventilate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

ventilate

verb

ven·​ti·​late ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt 

ventilated; ventilating

1

: to discuss freely and openly

ventilate a complaint

2

a

: to expose to air and especially to a current of fresh air

ventilate stored grain

b

: to provide with ventilation

ventilate a room with fans

Medical Definition

ventilate

transitive verb

ven·​ti·​late ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt 

ventilated; ventilating

1

: to expose to air and especially to a current of fresh air for purifying or refreshing

2

a

: oxygenate, aerate

ventilate blood in the lungs

b

: to subject the lungs of (an individual) to ventilation

artificially ventilate a patient in respiratory distress

3

: to give verbal expression to (as mental or emotional conflicts)