mechanical ventilation

noun

: artificial respiration using a mechanical ventilator to support the delivery of oxygen to the lungs when breathing has ceased, is failing, or is inadequate

Examples of mechanical ventilation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 14-month-old was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, where he was intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation, The Advocate reported. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 When conditions allow, mechanical ventilation is reduced and the facade’s bronze blades open to enable natural airflow, with sensors regulating it to maintain comfort and avoid drafts. — Emanuel Gana, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 This stage can require intensive medical care, including mechanical ventilation and advanced life‑support measures. — Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2026 This type of hand restraint during mechanical ventilation, meant to prevent self-injury, is used widely in ICUs around the world, though there’s been little research on the effectiveness. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mechanical ventilation

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mechanical ventilation was in 1954

Rhymes for mechanical ventilation

See All Rhymes for mechanical ventilation

Browse Nearby Words

mechanical tissue
mechanical ventilation
mechanical ventilator
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mechanical ventilation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mechanical%20ventilation. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

mechanical ventilation

noun
: artificial respiration of the lungs using a mechanical ventilator to support the delivery of oxygen to the lungs when breathing has ceased, is failing, or is inadequate
the patient was sufficiently obtunded to require intubation and mechanical ventilation—Susan M. Pond et al.
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulcrum

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All