suction

[ suhk-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act, process, or condition of sucking. sucking.
2. the force that, by a pressure differential, attracts a substance or object to the region of lower pressure.
3. the act or process of producing such a force.

verb (used with object)

1. to draw out or remove by aspiration.

suction

/ ˈsʌkʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of sucking
2. the force or condition produced by a pressure difference, as the force holding a suction cap onto a surface
3. the act or process of producing such a force or condition

suction

/ sŭk′shən /

1. 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.
2. The act of reducing pressure to create such a force, as by the use of a pump or fan.

Derived Forms

• ˈsuctional, adjective

Other Words From

• suction·al adjective
• non·suction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of suction¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of suction¹

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

Example Sentences

Ms Wisniewska then uses a scalpel to make a small hole and inserts a long cannula attached to a suction machine on the floor and begins to suck out fat.

From BBC

“I really can’t see how the suction would be so strong that it would pull down an organ,” Vaccaro told Salon in a phone interview.

From Salon

"She can't cough so we have to suction her mouth and her nose when she needs it through-out the day," said her mum.

From BBC

The astronauts might then use the bathroom, a small compartment with a suction system.

From BBC

A suction tube of euphemisms and evasion has captured many a partisan mind.

From Salon

Related Words

• consumption
• digestion
• intake
• penetration
• retention
• saturation