ventilate

[ven-tl-eyt]

verb (used with object)

ventilated, ventilating 

1. to provide (a room, mine, etc.) with fresh air in place of air that has been used or contaminated.

2. Medicine/Medical.

   1. to oxygenate (blood) by exposure to air in the lungs or gills.

   2. to assist the breathing of (a person), as with a respirator.

3. (of air or wind) to circulate through or blow on, so as to cool or freshen the air of.

   Cool breezes ventilated the house.

4. to expose to the action of air or wind.

   to ventilate floor timbers.

5. to submit (a question, problem, etc.) to open, full examination and discussion.

   Synonyms: report, circulate, publicize, broadcast

6. to give utterance or expression to (an opinion, complaint, etc.).

7. to furnish with a vent or opening, as for the escape of air or gas.

verb (used without object)

ventilated, ventilating 

1. to give utterance or expression to one's emotions, opinions, complaints, etc.

ventilate

/ ˈvɛntɪˌleɪt /

verb

1. to drive foul air out of (an enclosed area)

2. to provide with a means of airing

3. to expose (a question, grievance, etc) to public examination or discussion

4. physiol to oxygenate (the blood) in the capillaries of the lungs

5. to winnow (grain)

Other Word Forms

• ventilable adjective
• overventilate verb (used with object)
• reventilate verb (used with object)
• self-ventilated adjective
• underventilate verb (used with object)
• underventilated adjective
• unventilated adjective
• well-ventilated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ventilate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English ventilatten “to blow (something) away,” from Latin ventilātus (past participle of ventilāre “to fan”), equivalent to vent(us) “wind” + -il- verb suffix (variant of -ul-, originally after derivatives of nouns ending in -ulus ) + -ātus suffix forming adjectives; -ule, -ate ¹; speculate, wind ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ventilate¹

C15: from Latin ventilāre to fan, from ventulus diminutive of ventus wind

Example Sentences

Dr McCartney says you can also reduce your risk of colds by being in well ventilated spaces and washing your hands regularly and properly.

Read more on BBC

"If you need to go out with symptoms, consider wearing a face covering, wash hands regularly and ensure indoor spaces are well ventilated," he added.

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Specially-trained firefighters carried out a "systematic sweep" of the property to detect any hazardous materials and ventilate the scene.

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Plus, the standard Model Y covers up Tesla’s usual panoramic glass roof with a fabric headliner, and neither model comes with ventilated front seats.

Read more on MarketWatch

Plus, the standard Model Y covers up Tesla’s usual panoramic glass roof with a fabric headliner, and neither model comes with ventilated front seats.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• vent