ventilator

noun

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ven·ti·la·tor | \ ˈven-tə-ˌlā-tər

plural ventilators

Definition of ventilator

: something or someone that ventilates: such as

a : a device for introducing fresh air or expelling foul or stagnant air

b : a device for maintaining artificial respiration especially : a mechanized device that enables the delivery or movement of air and oxygen into the lungs of a patient whose breathing has ceased, is failing, or is inadequate : mechanical ventilator

Note: Modern, computerized mechanical ventilators typically monitor and customize gas delivery, maintain a constant pressure in the lungs to prevent the alveoli from collapsing, and deliver air and oxygen to the lungs by way of an endotracheal tube.

Examples of ventilator in a Sentence

The patient was put on a ventilator.

Recent Examples on the Web After she was admitted to intensive care and placed on a ventilator, her health teetered up and down day after day. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "GoFundMe pages reveal hidden stories of loss," 21 Feb. 2021 Richard Odum died Wednesday after spending 35 days on a ventilator, less than a day after his son created the fundraiser to help pay for his long-term care. — Henri Hollis, ajc, "Retired Athens police officer dies after monthlong COVID-19 battle," 11 Feb. 2021 Down the hallway, Mr. Virgen, the minibus driver, was also unconscious on a ventilator. — New York Times, "Dying of Covid in a ‘Separate and Unequal’ L.A. Hospital," 8 Feb. 2021 She was released after 18 days in the hospital — eight of them on a ventilator. — Los Angeles Times, "For a rural family, COVID-19 felt like a distant threat. Until it devastated them," 7 Feb. 2021 Some may think that this is only going to impact those that were terribly ill in the intensive care unit on a ventilator. — Anchorage Daily News, "Far more women than men seem to be reporting ‘long-haul’ COVID-19 symptoms," 5 Feb. 2021 Doctors and nurses were expected to make life-or-death decisions, such as whether to put someone with COVID-19 on a ventilator, under conditions of duress and often with conflicting medical advice, the bill's supporters argue. — Chris Serres, Star Tribune, "Minnesota bill would shield health care providers from COVID-related lawsuits," 5 Feb. 2021 The educator and father of four was placed on a ventilator for 12 days. — Anna Caplan, Dallas News, "Hospitalized for six weeks with COVID-19, a Flower Mound principal returns home," 4 Feb. 2021 She was hospitalized, and is now unconscious on a ventilator, clinging to life. — Fox News, "NYC nursing home resident who was denied a vaccine dies of COVID-19," 31 Jan. 2021

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

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Last Updated

24 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Ventilator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ventilator. Accessed 5 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for ventilator

ventilator

noun

English Language Learners Definition of ventilator

: a device that lets fresh air enter and move through a room, building, etc.

medical : a device for helping a person to breathe

See the full definition for ventilator in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ventilator

noun

ven·ti·la·tor | \ ˈven-tə-ˌlā-tər

Kids Definition of ventilator

: a device for letting in fresh air or driving out bad or stale air

ventilator

noun

ven·ti·la·tor | \ ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt-ər

Medical Definition of ventilator

: a device for maintaining artificial respiration especially : a mechanized device that enables the delivery or movement of air and oxygen into the lungs of a patient whose breathing has ceased, is failing, or is inadequate : mechanical ventilator

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