noun

ventilator

VEHN-tih-lay-tuh

Ventilator (noun) means a device that circulates fresh air into a space and expels stale air. Example: “The bathroom has a small ventilator to clear steam after a shower.”

noun

A device that circulates fresh air into a space and expels stale air.

"The bathroom has a small ventilator to clear steam after a shower."

A medical machine that mechanically moves air into and out of the lungs of a patient who cannot breathe well unassisted.

"During the pandemic, hospitals struggled to find enough ventilators for critically ill patients."

How to use ventilator

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA device that moves air — either to freshen a room, or to help a patient breathe.

Easily confused with

respirator →

Common pairings

put on a ventilator mechanical ventilator ventilator support

Word forms

ventilators plural

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The bathroom has a small _____ to clear steam after a shower.

Etymology

Formed from ventilate plus the agent suffix -or.

Synonyms

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breathing device breathing machine breathing apparatus

Rhymes for ventilator

gator orator locator aviator senator equator Creator curator rotator operator agitator elevator

See all rhymes for ventilator →

Frequently asked questions

What does “ventilator” mean?

The word “ventilator” means a device that circulates fresh air into a space and expels stale air. In plain terms, a device that moves air — either to freshen a room, or to help a patient breathe.

How do you pronounce “ventilator”?

“Ventilator” is pronounced VEHN-tih-lay-tuh (/ˈvɛntɪleɪtə/ in IPA).

How do you use “ventilator” in a sentence?

Here is “ventilator” used in a sentence: “The bathroom has a small ventilator to clear steam after a shower.”

What part of speech is “ventilator”?

“Ventilator” is a noun.

How many meanings does “ventilator” have?

“Ventilator” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device that circulates fresh air into a space and expels stale air.