suction

[suhk-shuhn]

noun

1. the act, process, or condition of sucking. sucking.

2. the force that, by a pressure differential, attracts a substance or object to the region of lower pressure.

3. the act or process of producing such a force.

verb (used with object)

1. to draw out or remove by aspiration.

suction

/ ˈsʌkʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of sucking

2. the force or condition produced by a pressure difference, as the force holding a suction cap onto a surface

3. the act or process of producing such a force or condition

suction

1. A force acting on a fluid caused by difference in pressure between two regions, tending to make the fluid flow from the region of higher pressure to the region of lower pressure.

2. The act of reducing pressure to create such a force, as by the use of a pump or fan.

Other Word Forms

• suctional adjective
• nonsuction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of suction¹

1605–15; < Late Latin sūctiōn- (stem of sūctiō ) a sucking, equivalent to Latin sūct ( us ) (past participle of sūgere to suck ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of suction¹

C17: from Late Latin suctiō a sucking, from Latin sūgere to suck

Example Sentences

The pipette she uses to remove the venom from the fangs is attached to a suction hose - crucial for collecting as much venom as possible, since each spider provides only small amounts.

From BBC

"And this funnel here is actually attached to an air suction system, and that is where you put your liquid waste."

From BBC

If you have recently had a contraceptive coil put into your womb, there is a very small chance it could become dislodged, or even removed, by suction.

From BBC

Nurses warned such practices put patients at risk as staff were unable to access vital equipment such as oxygen, heart monitors and suction equipment, and did not have the time and space to provide CPR.

From BBC

Doctors insert a straw-like tube into the uterus and gently suction out any remaining pregnancy tissue.

From Salon

Related Words

• consumption 
• digestion 
• intake 
• penetration 
• retention 
• saturation