1
: the act or process of sucking
2
a
: the act or process of exerting a force upon a solid, liquid, or gaseous body by reason of reduced air pressure over part of its surface
b
: force so exerted
3
: a device (such as a pipe or fitting) used in a machine that operates by suction
suctioned; suctioning; suctions
: to remove (as from a body cavity or passage) by suction
Examples of suction in a Sentence
Noun
The vacuum cleaner picks up dirt by suction.
The octopus grasps things using suction.
a vacuum cleaner with enough suction to pick up the heaviest particles of dirt
Verb
The surgeon will suction blood out of the area.
Recent Examples on the Web
Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
Its 55 air watts of suction is far less than most cordless models, but is more than enough for hard floors.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 14 May 2026
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
In a new study, researchers documented seven cases of remoras, a fish known for suctioning itself onto rays—as well as sharks, dolphins, boats and even divers—plunging into manta rays' cloacal orifice, an opening used for pooping, peeing and mating.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for suction
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Noun
The device is equipped with two suction modes and has a maximum speed of 25,000 pascals, which is similar to that of a cordless vacuum.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
Its 55 air watts of suction is far less than most cordless models, but is more than enough for hard floors.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 14 May 2026
Verb
Sweep the dirt into a dustpan or suction it with your vacuum cleaner.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
In a new study, researchers documented seven cases of remoras, a fish known for suctioning itself onto rays—as well as sharks, dolphins, boats and even divers—plunging into manta rays' cloacal orifice, an opening used for pooping, peeing and mating.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for suction
Cite this Entry
“Suction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suction. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
suction
1 of 2 noun
suc·tion
ˈsək-shən 
1
: the act or process of sucking
2
a
: the act or process of exerting a force upon a solid, liquid, or gaseous body by reason of reduced air pressure over part of its surface
b
: force so exerted
3
: the act or process of removing secretions or fluids from hollow or tubular organs or cavities by means of a tube and a device (as a suction pump) that operates on negative pressure
suction
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to remove from a body cavity or passage by suction
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