ventilation

American  

[ven-tl-ey-shuhn] / ˌvɛn tlˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of ventilating.

2. the state of being ventilated.

3. facilities or equipment for providing ventilation.

---

ventilation British  

/ ˌvɛntɪˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of ventilating or the state of being ventilated

2. an installation in a building that provides a supply of fresh air

---

Other Word Forms

• nonventilation noun
• overventilation noun
• reventilation noun
• underventilation noun
• ventilative adjective
• ventilatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of ventilation

1425–75; late Middle English ventilacioun < Latin ventilātiōn- (stem of ventilātiō ), equivalent to ventilāt ( us ) ( ventilate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Tuesday and jumped into offensive mode, coordinating roof ventilation, fire suppression and salvage operations on the third floor, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Scottish government ministers did not know about problems with the water and ventilation systems at the country's largest hospital before it opened, according to a new document published by the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

They further claim that at the time of Ramos’ embalming, Risher lacked a suitable space to store human remains and lacked a preparation room equipped with necessary drainage, ventilation and supplies for proper embalming.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

Additional eco-friendly luxury features are the “water vapor fireplaces,” built-in water filtration, and air ventilation system, which “ensure a healthy lifestyle at all times.”

From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 2026

If I could have had perfect test conditions—a room with decent ventilation, and a glass of unsweetened green iced tea—I would have cut off another two minutes.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan