ventilation

/ˈvɛntəˌleɪʃən/

/vɛntɪˈleɪʃən/

Other forms: ventilations

Ventilation is when you let fresh air into a place, or air a room out.

If you've ever been in a stuffy, hot room and said, "Someone open a window!" you know what it meas to need ventilation. Ventilation airs out an indoor space by letting fresh air in and stale or smelly air out, and it's more effective if you open several windows on opposite sides of the house or building. A fan in the window can also aid ventilation. The root word is the Latin ventulus, "a breeze," which comes from ventus, "wind."

Definitions of ventilation

1. noun

   the act of supplying fresh air and getting rid of foul air
   synonyms: airing

   type of:

   improvement

   the act of improving something
2. noun

   a mechanical system in a building that provides fresh air
   “she was continually adjusting the ventilation”

   synonyms: ventilating system, ventilation system

   type of:

   mechanical system

   a system of elements that interact on mechanical principles
3. noun

   the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
   synonyms: breathing, external respiration, respiration

   types:

   artificial respiration

   an emergency procedure whereby breathing is maintained artificially

   abdominal breathing

   breathing in which most of the respiratory effort is done by the abdominal muscles

   eupnea, eupnoea

   normal relaxed breathing

   hyperpnea

   energetic (deep and rapid) respiration that occurs normally after exercise or abnormally with fever or various disorders

   hypopnea

   slow or shallow breathing

   hyperventilation

   an increased depth and rate of breathing greater than demanded by the body needs; can cause dizziness and tingling of the fingers and toes and chest pain if continued

   heaving, panting

   breathing heavily (as after exertion)

   Cheyne-Stokes respiration, periodic breathing

   abnormal respiration in which periods of shallow and deep breathing alternate

   smoke, smoking

   the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

   snore, snoring, stertor

   the act of snoring or producing a snoring sound

   sniffle, snivel, snuffle

   the act of breathing heavily through the nose (as when the nose is congested)

   wheeze

   breathing with a husky or whistling sound

   second wind

   the return of relatively easy breathing after initial exhaustion during continuous exertion

   puffing

   blowing tobacco smoke out into the air

   type of:

   activity, bodily function, bodily process, body process

   an organic process that takes place in the body
4. noun

   free and open discussion of (or debate on) some question of public interest
   synonyms: public discussion

   type of:

   discussion, give-and-take, word

   an exchange of views on some topic