verb

aspirate

AS-puh-rayt (verb), AS-puh-ruht (noun)

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Aspirate (verb) means to accidentally draw food, liquid or another foreign substance into the airway or lungs instead of swallowing it into the stomach. Example: “Patients who have trouble swallowing may aspirate small amounts of fluid at every meal.”

verb

To accidentally draw food, liquid or another foreign substance into the airway or lungs instead of swallowing it into the stomach.

"Patients who have trouble swallowing may aspirate small amounts of fluid at every meal."

"He aspirated a little water and coughed for several minutes."

To draw fluid, tissue or air out of a body cavity using suction, usually with a needle or tube.

"The surgeon aspirated the cyst and sent the sample for testing."

"Excess fluid was aspirated from the joint to relieve the pressure."

technical To pronounce a sound with an audible puff of breath, as with the h in 'hat' or the p in 'pin'.

"In English, the p is aspirated at the start of a word but not after an s."

noun

technical A consonant sound made with a puff of breath, or the letter representing it.

"Hindi distinguishes aspirates from their unaspirated counterparts."

How to use aspirate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo breathe something into your lungs by mistake, or to suck fluid out of the body with a needle.

When to use it

Mainly medical and phonetic. Note the stress difference: the verb ends in a full 'rate' sound, the noun does not.

Memory tip

The related noun aspiration has two very different meanings: an ambition, and the medical act of breathing in or drawing off fluid. Context makes it clear.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

aspire → inspire → expirate aspiration →

Common pairings

aspirate fluid aspirate food fine-needle aspirate aspirated consonant

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “aspirate” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Patients who have trouble swallowing may _____ small amounts of fluid at every meal.

Etymology

From Latin aspirare 'to breathe upon', from ad 'to' and spirare 'to breathe'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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draw off suction extract

Related words

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Rhymes for aspirate

ate date rate mate fate abate slate plate state create update locate

See all rhymes for aspirate →

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean when a patient aspirates?

It means something that should have gone down the oesophagus, such as food, drink or stomach contents, has entered the windpipe and lungs instead. It causes choking and coughing, and can lead to aspiration pneumonia if material stays in the lungs.

What is the difference between aspirate and aspire?

They share a Latin root about breathing but have separated completely. Aspire means to strive towards an ambition, while aspirate is a medical or phonetic verb about breath, fluid and suction.

What is the meaning of aspirate?

"aspirate" (verb) means to accidentally draw food, liquid or another foreign substance into the airway or lungs instead of swallowing it into the stomach.

What is another word for aspirate?

Other words for "aspirate" include draw off, suction, extract.

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