suction
Suction (noun) means a force that pulls or holds things together because the pressure in a space is lower than the pressure around it. Example: “The vacuum cleaner uses suction to lift dirt from the carpet.”
How to Use Suction
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe pulling force created when pressure is lower in one space than another, so things get drawn in or held on.
Word Forms
suctioned past tense, suctions plural, suctions singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The vacuum cleaner uses _____ to lift dirt from the carpet.
Etymology
From Latin sūctiō, related to sūgō, "to suck." The word has been used in English since the early 1600s.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related Words
Rhymes for suction
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “suction” mean?
The word “suction” means a force that pulls or holds things together because the pressure in a space is lower than the pressure around it. In plain terms, the pulling force created when pressure is lower in one space than another, so things get drawn in or held on.
How do you pronounce “suction”?
“Suction” is pronounced SUHK-shuhn (/ˈsʌkʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “suction” in a sentence?
Here is “suction” used in a sentence: “The vacuum cleaner uses suction to lift dirt from the carpet.”
What is the opposite of “suction”?
The opposite of “suction” — its antonyms — is unsuction.
What part of speech is “suction”?
Depending on how it is used, “suction” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “suction” come from?
The word “suction” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Latin. From Latin sūctiō, related to sūgō, "to suck." The word has been used in English since the early 1600s.
Is “suction” a common word?
“Suction” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “suction” have?
“Suction” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a force that pulls or holds things together because the pressure in a space is lower than the pressure around it.