suction

1 of 2

noun

suc·​tion ˈsək-shən How to pronounce suction (audio)
Synonyms of suctionnext
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
suctional
ˈsək-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce suction (audio)
adjective

suction

2 of 2

verb

suctioned; suctioning; suctions

transitive verb

: 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
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.
Noun
The cabin comes in white-brown, black-brown, or all-black color schemes and features five seats with 10-layer filling, ventilation (bottom-blow, back-suction), and heating. — New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2026 The Dreame L40s Ultra takes care of your daily floor care on 19,000Pa Vormax suction and an anti-tangle HyperStream DuoBrush. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 30 July 2026
Verb
However, since that wasn’t the case in this circumstance, the team had to manually suction the calf’s nose and mouth, dry her off, provide oxygen and work to stimulate her breathing. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Vacuum your rug every week to suction out dirt and keep the rug from turning dingy. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for suction

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Late Latin suction-, suctio, from Latin sugere to suck — more at suck

First Known Use

Noun

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of suction was in 1626

Phrases Containing suction

Rhymes for suction

See All Rhymes for suction

Browse Nearby Words

sucrose
suction
suction anemometer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Suction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suction. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

suction

noun
suc·​tion
ˈsək-shən
1
: the act or process of sucking
2
a
: the action or process of drawing something (as liquid or dust) into a space (as a vacuum cleaner or a pump) by removing air from the space
b
: the force caused by suction

Medical Definition

suction

1 of 2 noun
suc·​tion ˈsək-shən How to pronounce suction (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on suction

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for suction

Nglish: Translation of suction for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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