ventilator

noun ven·ti·la·tor \ ˈven-tə-ˌlā-tər \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of ventilator

: one that ventilates: such as

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

b : respirator 2

See ventilator defined for English-language learners

See ventilator defined for kids

Examples of ventilator in a Sentence

The patient was put on a ventilator.

Recent Examples of ventilator from the Web

She was connected to heart monitors and a ventilator and remained hospitalized for several months.

— adam himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, "‘Get on my back.’ How Terry Rozier and his sister bonded through struggle," 18 May 2018
The woman’s health ultimately improved, but only after she was given antibiotics, put on a ventilator, and had the fluid drained from her lungs via tubes inserted on the sides of her chest.

— emma sarran webster, Teen Vogue, "Teenager Developed “Wet Lung” After Vaping for 3 Weeks," 17 May 2018
Inscope developed a medical device to help doctors more accurately insert tubes into patients' airway who need a ventilator to help breath during surgeries and emergencies.

— grace schneider, The Courier-Journal, "AOL co-founder Steve Case visits Louisville to promote local startups," 11 May 2018
Kiley Lane, of Farmington, was diagnosed with hantavirus in February after experiencing abdominal pain and being placed on a ventilator, her mother Julie Barron told PEOPLE at the time.

— char adams, PEOPLE.com, "New Mexico Mom, 27, Dies After Contracting Extremely Rare Rodent-Borne Virus," 1 May 2018
Reeves, who suffered multiple skull fractures, required a blood transfusion and a ventilator to assist with breathing.

— j.c. carnahan, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Baseball district tournament preview: Oviedo playing with heavy hearts," 29 Apr. 2018
Some patients also use ventilators to assist with breathing.

— jamie ducharme, Time, "Stephen Hawking May Have Been the Longest-Living ALS Survivor. Here’s What We Know," 14 Mar. 2018
For example, sometimes low birth weight babies need to be on a ventilator.

— nancy coltun webster, Post-Tribune, "Neonatal units helping young lives for more than 30 years," 27 Apr. 2018
Lane was placed on a ventilator and tested for a handful of diseases including hepatitis, pneumonia, and the flu as her condition worsened.

— sarah klein, Health.com, "This Woman Died From Hantavirus—a Rare Infection Initially Mistaken for the Flu," 27 Apr. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of ventilator

ventilate + ¹-or (perhaps after Latin ventilātor "winnower")

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1743

in the meaning defined above

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VENTILATOR Defined for English Language Learners

ventilator

noun

Definition of ventilator for English Language Learners

: a device that lets fresh air enter and move through a room, building, etc.
medical : a device for helping a person to breathe

VENTILATOR Defined for Kids

ventilator

noun ven·ti·la·tor \ ˈven-tə-ˌlā-tər \

Definition of ventilator for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

ventilator

noun ven·ti·la·tor \ ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt-ər \

medical Definition of ventilator

: respirator 2

Learn More about ventilator

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

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ventilator

Definition of ventilator

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VENTILATOR Defined for English Language Learners

ventilator

Definition of ventilator for English Language Learners

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ventilator

Definition of ventilator for Students

Medical Dictionary

ventilator

medical Definition of ventilator

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ventilator

Definition of ventilator

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Origin and Etymology of ventilator

VENTILATOR Defined for English Language Learners

ventilator

Definition of ventilator for English Language Learners

VENTILATOR Defined for Kids

ventilator

Definition of ventilator for Students

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ventilator

medical Definition of ventilator

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