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ventilator vs. respirator

ventilator

[ ven-tl-ey-ter ]
noun
  1. a person or thing that ventilates.
  2. a contrivance or opening for replacing foul or stagnant air with fresh air.
  3. an apparatus to produce artificial respiration, moving air into and out of a patient’s lungs: The patient presented with signs of respiratory failure and was placed immediately on a ventilator.

respirator

[ res-puh-rey-ter ]
noun
  1. a masklike device, usually of nonwoven fibrous materials, as fiberglass paper, wool felt, or polypropylene, worn over the mouth, or nose and mouth, to prevent the inhalation of noxious substances, pathogens, or the like: Respirators are essential protective equipment for healthcare providers during an outbreak.
  2. ventilator (def. 3).
  3. gas mask.