ventilate

American  

[ven-tl-eyt] / ˈvɛn tlˌeɪt /

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.

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verb (used without object)

ventilated, ventilating

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

ventilate British  

/ 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)

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of ventilate

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

Example Sentences

The system could eventually help ventilate greenhouses and other buildings without relying on fuel.

From Science Daily • Feb. 27, 2026

After turning off the burners and opening windows to ventilate the apartment, the team contacted firefighters and stayed with the woman until they arrived.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2025

She says it remains important to ventilate and heat your home alongside using a dehumidifier.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2024

This can cause people to snore, or it can also completely obstruct the airway and cause people to not be able to ventilate well.

From Scientific American • Jun. 29, 2023

After a couple of years, the Captain raised Dad to section foreman, taught him how to lead men and operate and ventilate a mine, and instilled in him a vision of the town.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Related Words

• vent