HEPA

American

[hep-uh] / ˈhɛp ə /

adjective

noting or using an air filter composed of a mat of dense fibers arranged in folds, designed according to federal standards to trap at least 99.97% of airborne particles measuring 0.3 microns in diameter.

HEPA vacuums and air purifiers.

Etymology

Origin of HEPA

First recorded in 1960–65; abbreviation of h(igh-)e(fficiency) p(articulate) a(ir)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

En de los laboratorios BSL-4 que visitó el equipo, siempre había filtros absolutos, o HEPA, por su sigla en inglés.

From New York Times • Sep. 10, 2022

The gold standard for filters is HEPA, which stands for high efficiency particulate air.

From Washington Post • Mar. 13, 2022

The first step is ensuring the purifier has a high efficiency particulate air filter, most commonly known as HEPA, according to Lew Harriman, the retired director of research at consulting firm Mason-Grant.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 9, 2021

An even more exacting air filtration system is called HEPA, or high-efficiency particulate air.

From Washington Post • Jun. 26, 2020

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023