verb C1 Advanced

ventilate

VEHN-tih-layt

Ventilate (verb) means to let fresh air circulate through a space, replacing stale or stagnant air. Example: “Open a window to ventilate the room while you paint.”

verb

To let fresh air circulate through a space, replacing stale or stagnant air.

"Open a window to ventilate the room while you paint."

To provide mechanical breathing assistance to a patient who cannot breathe adequately on their own.

"The patient had to be ventilated for several days after the surgery."

To bring an idea, opinion, or grievance out into the open for discussion.

"The committee ventilated the proposal before putting it to a vote."

How to use ventilate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo let fresh air in and stale air out, or (medically) to help someone breathe with a machine.

Common pairings

ventilate a room mechanically ventilated ventilate a grievance

Word forms

ventilated past tense, ventilates singular

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Open a window to _____ the room while you paint.

Etymology

From Latin ventilātus, past participle of ventilāre ("to fan, to expose to air").

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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air vent air out give vent

Related words

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Rhymes for ventilate

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

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Frequently asked questions

What does “ventilate” mean?

The word “ventilate” means to let fresh air circulate through a space, replacing stale or stagnant air. In plain terms, to let fresh air in and stale air out, or (medically) to help someone breathe with a machine.

How do you pronounce “ventilate”?

“Ventilate” is pronounced VEHN-tih-layt (/ˈvɛntɪleɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “ventilate” in a sentence?

Here is “ventilate” used in a sentence: “Open a window to ventilate the room while you paint.”

What part of speech is “ventilate”?

“Ventilate” is a verb.

Where does the word “ventilate” come from?

The word “ventilate” comes from Latin. From Latin ventilātus, past participle of ventilāre ("to fan, to expose to air").

How many meanings does “ventilate” have?

“Ventilate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to let fresh air circulate through a space, replacing stale or stagnant air.

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