ventilation

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noun ven·ti·la·tion \ ˌven-tə-ˈlā-shən \

Definition of ventilation

1 :the act or process of ventilating

2 a :circulation of air

a room with good ventilation

b :the circulation and exchange of gases in the lungs or gills that is basic to respiration

3 :a system or means of providing fresh air

See ventilation defined for kids

Recent Examples of ventilation from the Web

Many tunnels found by agents in San Diego have had lighting, ventilation and even railroad-type tracks so the drug cartels could efficiently move their loads into California.

— julie watson, The Seattle Times, "Chinese migrants lead US agents to San Diego border tunnel," 28 Aug. 2017
The Grove Interpretive Center also has an outdated heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit and alarm system, an outdated fish tank filtration system and not enough classroom space for those who visit, McCarty said.

— alexandra kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Resident group will make recommendations on park district projects," 28 Aug. 2017
Companies that provide services like heating, ventilation and air conditioning are struggling to find workers to install and repair equipment.

— joyce m. rosenberg, Philly.com, "SBA head McMahon sees businesses held back by lack of loans, workers," 21 Aug. 2017
Rebuffed by the guards, Dean unleashed pepper spray at them and fled, sending one guard to the hospital and forcing the evacuation of 400 people as the eye-stinging mist spread through ventilation ducts in the store.

— charles rabin, miamiherald, "Serial pepper spray suspect busted after causing evacuation of Dadeland store," 7 July 2017
Both a ducted fan coil and a cassette are types of terminal distribution devices for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in the classrooms.

— chuck fieldman, chicagotribune.com, "Track not part of $400,000 in Hinsdale Middle School additions," 27 June 2017
The bride’s father is a sales manager at FIA, a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning company in Woburn, Mass The groom, 36, is a financial adviser and a vice president at Morgan Stanley in New York, in the wealth management division.

— New York Times, "Mary Yurch, Joseph Maiullo IV," 25 June 2017
Before the storms barged in, festival crowds and bands endured hours of oppressive heat that was magnified by the lack of wind or ventilation.

— timothy finn, kansascity, "On day two, Boulevardia headliners adjust to the weather’s fury," 18 June 2017
At outdoor pools, these compounds usually blow away with the wind; indoor pools need good ventilation systems, said Dr. Chadeayne, who lives outside Seattle.

— karen weintraub, New York Times, "Is Chlorine in Swimming Pools Safe?," 16 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ventilation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ventilation

borrowed from Latin ventilātiōn-, ventilātiō, from ventilāre "to expose to the air, ventilate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

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First Known Use: 1519

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VENTILATION Defined for Kids

ventilation

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noun ven·ti·la·tion \ ˌven-tə-ˈlā-shən \

Definition of ventilation for Students

1 :the act or process of ventilating

2 :a system or means of providing fresh air

Medical Dictionary

ventilation

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noun ven·ti·la·tion \ ˌvent-ᵊl-ˈā-shən \

medical Definition of ventilation

1 :the act or process of ventilating

2 :the circulation and exchange of gases in the lungs or gills that is basic to respiration

Learn More about ventilation

See words that rhyme with ventilation Spanish Central: Translation of ventilation Nglish: Translation of ventilation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ventilation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ventilation

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ventilation

Definition of ventilation

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VENTILATION Defined for Kids

ventilation

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ventilation

medical Definition of ventilation

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