as·pi·rate
ˈa-sp(ə-)rət 
1
: an independent sound \h\ or a character (such as the letter h) representing it
2
: a consonant having aspiration as its final component
in English the \p\ of pit is an aspirate
3
: material removed by aspiration
as·pi·rate
ˈa-spə-ˌrāt
aspirated; aspirating
1
: to pronounce (a vowel or a consonant) with aspiration (see aspiration sense 3a)
2
a
: to draw by suction
b
: to remove (something such as blood) by aspiration
c
: to take into the lungs by aspiration
Examples of aspirate in a Sentence
Noun
The word “hour” is not pronounced with an aspirate.
Verb
The letter “h” in “house” is aspirated, but the “h” in “hour” is not.
She began coughing when she aspirated some orange juice.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
According to veterinary oncologists, a fine needle aspirate to see what kinds of cells it’s made of is almost always in order in these cases.
—Dr. Patty Khuly, miamiherald, 5 July 2018
Gagandeep Brar, Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2025
The car’s naturally aspirated V-16 itself is a statement beyond the noise, considering how rare 16-cylinder engines have become and even 12-cylinder engines in the realm of new supercars and hypercars.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for aspirate 
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Noun
Only by biopsy or fine needle aspirate and histologic examination can the specific tumor be identified.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
According to veterinary oncologists, a fine needle aspirate to see what kinds of cells it’s made of is almost always in order in these cases.
—Dr. Patty Khuly, miamiherald, 5 July 2018
Verb
Your bone marrow will be aspirated from your hip and/or breastbone.10 After harvesting, the bone marrow is delivered to the recipient as an intravenous (within the vein) infusion.
—Gagandeep Brar, Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2025
The car’s naturally aspirated V-16 itself is a statement beyond the noise, considering how rare 16-cylinder engines have become and even 12-cylinder engines in the realm of new supercars and hypercars.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for aspirate
Dictionary Entries Near aspirate
Cite this Entry
“Aspirate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspirate. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aspirate
1 of 2 verb
as·pi·rate
ˈas-pə-ˌrāt
aspirated; aspirating
1
: to pronounce with an initial \h\
2
: to remove (as blood) by suction
aspirate
2 of 2 noun
as·pi·rate
ˈas-p(ə-)rət
: the sound \h\ or a letter or symbol representing it
Medical Definition
aspirate
1 of 2 transitive verb
as·pi·rate
ˈas-pə-ˌrāt
aspirated; aspirating
1
: to draw by suction
2
: to remove (as blood) by aspiration
the portal vein is exposed and blood is aspirated with a 50-ml. syringe—Biological Abstracts
Biological Abstracts3
: inhale
aspirated material into the respiratory tract—Anesthesia Digest
Anesthesia Digestaspirate
2 of 2 noun
as·pi·rate
ˈas-p(ə-)ret
: material removed by aspiration
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