ventilate
verb
ven·ti·late
ˈven-tə-ˌlāt 
ventilated; ventilating
1
b
: to subject the lungs to ventilation
artificially ventilate a patient in respiratory distress
2
3
a
of a current of air
: to pass or circulate through so as to freshen
b
: to cause fresh air to circulate through (a place, such as a room or a mine)
4
: to provide an opening in (a burning structure) to permit escape of smoke and heat
5
archaic
: to free from chaff by winnowing
Synonyms
Examples of ventilate in a Sentence
She opened the windows to ventilate the room.
The room was adequately ventilated.
Recent Examples on the Web
The bassinet is temperature controlled, ventilated and equipped with alarms that alert emergency responders, who arrive within minutes.
—
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024
His spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, said that marked his 27th time in such an inhumane space, usually a roughly 7-feet-by-10-feet concrete cell with unbearable conditions — cold, damp and poorly ventilated.
—Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2024
Firefighters ventilated the area of any smoke and ensured the building was safe for students to return, Stanton said.
—Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2024
That combination kept the inhabitants warm and dry, but still well ventilated.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
Specific to cruising, the CDC recommends frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing (more often than on shore) and wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated areas.
—Scott Laird, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2024
Stand-alone options include: 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, second-row side-impact airbags, third-row seating and a hands-free power liftgate.
—James Raia, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024
The cells were usually cold, damp and poorly ventilated 7-feet-by-10-feet concrete spaces.
—Anton Troianovski, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2024
Firefighters cut holes in the roof to ventilate the flames and smoke to stop the fire from spreading throughout the building.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 10 Feb. 2024
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024
His spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, said that marked his 27th time in such an inhumane space, usually a roughly 7-feet-by-10-feet concrete cell with unbearable conditions — cold, damp and poorly ventilated.
—Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2024
Firefighters ventilated the area of any smoke and ensured the building was safe for students to return, Stanton said.
—Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2024
That combination kept the inhabitants warm and dry, but still well ventilated.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
Specific to cruising, the CDC recommends frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing (more often than on shore) and wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated areas.
—Scott Laird, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2024
Stand-alone options include: 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, second-row side-impact airbags, third-row seating and a hands-free power liftgate.
—James Raia, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024
The cells were usually cold, damp and poorly ventilated 7-feet-by-10-feet concrete spaces.
—Anton Troianovski, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2024
Firefighters cut holes in the roof to ventilate the flames and smoke to stop the fire from spreading throughout the building.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 10 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ventilate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ventilate
Cite this Entry
“Ventilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ventilate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ventilate
verb
ven·ti·late
ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt
ventilated; ventilating
1
: to discuss freely and openly
ventilate a complaint
2
a
: to expose to air and especially to a current of fresh air
ventilate stored grain
b
: to provide with ventilation
ventilate a room with fans
Medical Definition
ventilate
transitive verb
ven·ti·late
ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt
ventilated; ventilating
1
: to expose to air and especially to a current of fresh air for purifying or refreshing
2
b
: to subject the lungs of (an individual) to ventilation
artificially ventilate a patient in respiratory distress
3
: to give verbal expression to (as mental or emotional conflicts)
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