ventilator

UK: /ˈvɛntɪleɪtə^r/ US: (ven′tl ā′tər)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ven•ti•la•tor  (ven′tl ā′tər), n. 

1. a person or thing that ventilates.
2. a contrivance or opening for replacing foul or stagnant air with fresh air.
3. Medicine a respirator.

• ventilate + -or² 1735–45

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ventilator / ˈvɛntɪˌleɪtə/ noun

1. an opening or device, such as a fan, used to ventilate a room, building, etc
2. a machine that maintains a flow of air into and out of the lungs of a patient who is unable to breathe normally

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ven•ti•late /ˈvɛntəˌleɪt/   v. [~ + object] , -lat•ed, -lat•ing. 

1. to provide (a room, mine, etc.) with fresh air.
2. to express or give expression to so as to enable open, full examination and discussion:
   to ventilate the issue before a committee.

ven•ti•la•tion /ˌvɛntəˈleɪʃən/  n. [uncountable]
ven•ti•la•tor, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ven•ti•late  (ven′tl āt′), v.t., -lat•ed, -lat•ing. 

1. to provide (a room, mine, etc.) with fresh air in place of air that has been used or contaminated.
2. Medicine
   • to oxygenate (blood) by exposure to air in the lungs or gills.
   • to assist the breathing of (a person), as with a respirator.
3. (of air or wind) to circulate through or blow on, so as to cool or freshen the air of:
   Cool breezes ventilated the house.
4. to expose to the action of air or wind:
   to ventilate floor timbers.
5. to submit (a question, problem, etc.) to open, full examination and discussion.
6. to give utterance or expression to (an opinion, complaint, etc.).
7. Building to furnish with a vent or opening, as for the escape of air or gas.

v.i. 

8. to give utterance or expression to one's emotions, opinions, complaints, etc.

• Latin ventilātus (past participle of ventilāre to fan), equivalent. to vent(us) wind¹ + -il- verb, verbal suffix (variant of -ul-, origin, originally after derivs. of nouns ending in -ulus -ule; compare speculate) + -ātus -ate¹
• late Middle English ventilatten to blow (something) away 1400–50

ven′ti•la•ble, adj. 
Synonyms

• 5. broadcast, publicize, circulate, report.