suction

[ suhk-shuhn ]

/ ˈsʌk ʃən /

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See synonyms for: suction / suctioned / suctioning on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act, process, or condition of sucking.

the force that, by a pressure differential, attracts a substance or object to the region of lower pressure.

the act or process of producing such a force.

verb (used with object)

to draw out or remove by aspiration.

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Origin of suction

1605–15; <Late Latin sūctiōn- (stem of sūctiō) a sucking, equivalent to Latin sūct(us) (past participle of sūgere to suck) + -iōn--ion

OTHER WORDS FROM suction

suc·tion·al, adjectivenon·suc·tion, noun

Words nearby suction

Sucre, sucrose, sucrosemia, sucrose polyester, sucrosuria, suction, suction and curettage, suction cup, suction curettage, suction drainage, suction lipectomy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use suction in a sentence

Now, scientists have discovered that its skull was adapted to allow Tiktaalik to use both suction and biting while feeding.
This ancient fish-crocodile mashup snared its prey using a key adaptation|Kate Baggaley|February 3, 2021|Popular-Science
There are few bells and whistles—it’s pretty much an upright without any tools or attachments, and you have to empty the bin and clean the filter regularly to maintain the suction power.
Best cordless vacuum: Suck up debris without getting yourself tangled|Charlotte Marcus|January 19, 2021|Popular-Science
With an under $150 vacuum, you should expect a significantly shorter battery life, smaller bins, and less suction power.
Best robot vacuum: Clean up without lifting a finger|Carsen Joenk|December 18, 2020|Popular-Science
This one’s the better pickup over the similarly priced V7 since it comes with two extra attachments, a boost in suction power, and 10 extra minutes of run time.
7 gifts to take the stress out of stress-cleaning|Jessica Boddy|December 16, 2020|Popular-Science

There are a variety of colors to choose from and, best of all, once you pick your colors you can find matching divided suction plates and changing mats.
Silicone bibs to keep food off your baby and time on your side|PopSci Commerce Team|October 6, 2020|Popular-Science
The Department issued orders banning both mohelim from practicing direct oral suction.
Why Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Babies Keep Getting Herpes|Emily Shire|July 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The tube was to be inserted so it could suction out the blood and air packed in the chest and prevent the lung from collapsing.
Jimmy Breslin on JFK’s Assassination: Two Classic Columns|Jimmy Breslin|November 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As the clock struck twelve he gave the signal at which the large suction-pump was to be set in motion.
Black Diamonds|Mr Jkai
And always the usual work of the suction-pumps went on, those pumps now fixed to this great reservoir of millions.
The Nabob|Alphonse Daudet
The first and second lead precipitates were filtered by suction and washed with water.
Some Constituents of the Poison Ivy Plant: (Rhus Toxicodendron)|William Anderson Syme
In the storerooms above the electric engine room there was one 3-inch suction.
Loss of the Steamship 'Titanic'|British Government
Each pump had suction and discharge pipes of 29-inch bore, and was driven by a compound engine.
Loss of the Steamship 'Titanic'|British Government

British Dictionary definitions for suction

suction

/ (ˈsʌkʃən) /

noun

the act or process of sucking

the force or condition produced by a pressure difference, as the force holding a suction cap onto a surface

the act or process of producing such a force or condition

Derived forms of suction

suctional, adjective

Word Origin for suction

C17: from Late Latin suctiō a sucking, from Latin sūgere to suck

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for suction

suction

[ sŭk′shən ]

A force acting on a fluid caused by difference in pressure between two regions, tending to make the fluid flow from the region of higher pressure to the region of lower pressure.

The act of reducing pressure to create such a force, as by the use of a pump or fan.

suction

Origin of suction

OTHER WORDS FROM suction

Words nearby suction

Words related to suction

How to use suction in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for suction

Derived forms of suction

Word Origin for suction

Scientific definitions for suction