ventilator

noun

ven·​ti·​la·​tor ˈven-tə-ˌlā-tər 

plural ventilators

: 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

Their patients include children who have seizure disorders, congenital heart diseases that require surgery, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries and leukemia, as well as others who need feeding tubes and ventilators to treat their illnesses, according to their court declarations. — Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 25 June 2026

After those three days on the ventilator, Camila seemed to be getting stronger. — Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

The Bronx resident is currently on a ventilator at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026

The 1976 case, In re Quinlan, involved Karen Ann Quinlan, a young woman in a persistent vegetative state whose family sought permission from the court to withdraw her ventilator. — Jennifer McCurdy, The Conversation, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1743, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ventilator

• mechanical ventilator

Rhymes for ventilator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids Definition

ventilator

noun

ven·​ti·​la·​tor ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt-ər 

1

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

2

: respirator sense 2

Medical Definition

ventilator

noun

ven·​ti·​la·​tor ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt-ər 

: 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.