ventilate

[ ven-tl-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ven·ti·lat·ed, ven·ti·lat·ing.

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.

verb (used without object)

, ven·ti·lat·ed, ven·ti·lat·ing.

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

ventilate

/ 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)

Derived Forms

• ˈventilable, adjective

Other Words From

• venti·la·ble adjective
• over·venti·late verb (used with object) overventilated overventilating
• re·venti·late verb (used with object) reventilated reventilating
• self-venti·lated adjective
• under·venti·late verb (used with object) underventilated underventilating
• under·venti·lated adjective
• un·venti·lated adjective
• well-venti·lated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ventilate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ventilate¹

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

Example Sentences

The city had a $3 billion backlog of facilities repairs on its aging school buildings, WBEZ reported in 2018, and teachers were concerned that poorly ventilated classrooms could encourage the coronavirus to circulate.

From Washington Post

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that vaccinated people continue to wear masks, socially distance, avoid poorly ventilated spaces and wash their hands frequently to prevent the spread of the virus.

From Washington Post

It had to be comfortable, ventilated, have its legs protected and be secure.

From Popular-Science

Prison facilities are often overcrowded and poorly ventilated.

From Fortune

If you are inside with other people, make sure it’s as ventilated as it possibly can be and that the air is being cleaned as well as it can be.

From Voice of San Diego

My dear, the object of a meeting is to ventilate the subject.

From Project Gutenberg

With impunity might the tenderfoot ventilate his "stovepipe" or his theories of culture.

From Project Gutenberg

"I don't know as I wants to ventilate yu; we mostly poisons coyotes up my way," he added.

From Project Gutenberg

There are some wide cracks in the siding, but they help to ventilate, and make it healthier for the cattle.

From Project Gutenberg

The object of this invention is to ventilate and cool railway cars used in the transportation of perishable articles.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• vent