ventilate
verb
ven·ti·late
ˈven-tə-ˌlāt 
ventilated; ventilating
1
b
: to subject the lungs to ventilation
artificially ventilate a patient in respiratory distress
2
3
a
of a current of air
: to pass or circulate through so as to freshen
b
: to cause fresh air to circulate through (a place, such as a room or a mine)
4
: to provide an opening in (a burning structure) to permit escape of smoke and heat
5
archaic
: to free from chaff by winnowing
Examples of ventilate in a Sentence
She opened the windows to ventilate the room.
The room was adequately ventilated.
Recent Examples on the Web
One other nice touch is that, while there is only one wireless phone charger, it’s ventilated so your phone won’t overheat while charging.
—
James Morris, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Keep your bathroom ventilated, opening a window or running the fan during showers and for several minutes afterward.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 July 2025
The buildings were later ventilated as a precaution, the department said in a statement.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
The container is well ventilated and about twice the size of a refrigerator, said Mueller.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ventilate
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James Morris, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Keep your bathroom ventilated, opening a window or running the fan during showers and for several minutes afterward.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 July 2025
The buildings were later ventilated as a precaution, the department said in a statement.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
The container is well ventilated and about twice the size of a refrigerator, said Mueller.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ventilate
Cite this Entry
“Ventilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ventilate. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ventilate
verb
ven·ti·late
ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt
ventilated; ventilating
1
: to discuss freely and openly
ventilate a complaint
2
a
: to expose to air and especially to a current of fresh air
ventilate stored grain
b
: to provide with ventilation
ventilate a room with fans
Medical Definition
ventilate
transitive verb
ven·ti·late
ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt
ventilated; ventilating
1
: to expose to air and especially to a current of fresh air for purifying or refreshing
2
b
: to subject the lungs of (an individual) to ventilation
artificially ventilate a patient in respiratory distress
3
: to give verbal expression to (as mental or emotional conflicts)
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