ventilate

[ ven-tl-eyt ]

/ ˈvɛn tlˌeɪt /

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See synonyms for: ventilate / ventilated on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), ven·ti·lat·ed, ven·ti·lat·ing.

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

Medicine/Medical.

to oxygenate (blood) by exposure to air in the lungs or gills.
to assist the breathing of (a person), as with a respirator.

(of air or wind) to circulate through or blow on, so as to cool or freshen the air of: Cool breezes ventilated the house.

to expose to the action of air or wind: to ventilate floor timbers.

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

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

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

verb (used without object), ven·ti·lat·ed, ven·ti·lat·ing.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR ventilate

5 broadcast, publicize, circulate, report.

See synonyms for ventilate on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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; see origin at -ule, -ate¹;cf. speculate, wind¹

OTHER WORDS FROM ventilate

ven·ti·la·ble, adjectiveo·ver·ven·ti·late, verb (used with object), o·ver·ven·ti·lat·ed, o·ver·ven·ti·lat·ing.re·ven·ti·late, verb (used with object), re·ven·ti·lat·ed, re·ven·ti·lat·ing.self-ven·ti·lat·ed, adjective

un·der·ven·ti·late, verb (used with object), un·der·ven·ti·lat·ed, un·der·ven·ti·lat·ing.un·der·ven·ti·lat·ed, adjectiveun·ven·ti·lat·ed, adjectivewell-ven·ti·lat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ventilate in a sentence

Instead, restrictions could focus on crowded, poorly ventilated spaces like restaurants and bars.
Coronavirus cases are skyrocketing. Here’s what it will take to gain control|Tina Hesman Saey|November 11, 2020|Science News
So work outside or in a well-ventilated area, like a garage with the door open.
You Should Hot-Wax Your Bike Chains. Here's Why.|Joe Lindsey|November 6, 2020|Outside Online
Initially in the pandemic, the thought was to try to mechanically ventilate patients earlier.
COVID-19’s death rate in the U.S. could spike as new cases soar|Aimee Cunningham|November 3, 2020|Science News
They are especially important in crowded and poorly ventilated areas.
7 Tips For Staying Safe As COVID-19 Cases Rise And Colder Weather Heightens The Risk|LGBTQ-Editor|October 25, 2020|No Straight News

It’s the reason that indoor spaces, particularly poorly ventilated ones, present a particular risk.
To win customers’ trust, restaurants are paying to improve ventilation|Alexandra Ossola|October 19, 2020|Quartz
Along with installing new roofs, one post-tsunami effort I ran across was also building new, better-ventilated kitchens.
India’s Most Dangerous Meal: The Poisoned-Lunch Disaster|Dilip D’Souza|July 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The feelings that John Derbyshire ventilated—where did they come from?
Today's Question: Fire John Derbyshire?|David Frum|May 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It was well lighted and ventilated, and every child of whatever age could touch its feet to the floor.
The Cromptons|Mary J. Holmes
You must have your rooms well ventilated if you wish to avoid fainting and discomfort.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
On the east is a modern post-office, dirty and badly ventilated, and some half-finished Government buildings.
Belgium|George W. T. (George William Thomson) Omond
Thyrsis went, and found a working-men's meeting-room, ill-lighted and ill-ventilated, with perhaps two hundred people in it.
Love's Pilgrimage|Upton Sinclair
The rooms are lofty, with cupolas, and all of them very carefully ventilated.
Travels through the South of France and the Interior of Provinces of Provence and Languedoc in the Years 1807 and 1808|Lt-Col. Pinkney

British Dictionary definitions for ventilate

ventilate

/ (ˈvɛntɪˌleɪt) /

verb (tr)

to drive foul air out of (an enclosed area)

to provide with a means of airing

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

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

to winnow (grain)

Derived forms of ventilate

ventilable, adjective

Word Origin for ventilate

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

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

ventilate

OTHER WORDS FOR ventilate

Origin of ventilate

OTHER WORDS FROM ventilate

Words related to ventilate

How to use ventilate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ventilate

Derived forms of ventilate

Word Origin for ventilate