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
suctioned; suctioning; suctions
: 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
Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Oct. 2024
All prosthetic legs are held on with suction, which means fit must be precise.
—Jothy Rosenberg, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Rhett Allain, WIRED, 18 Oct. 2024
Make sure the child is having frequent feedings (and try to suction their nose before attempting to feed them) to avoid dehydration.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for suction 
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Noun
Troy-Bilt Gas Powered Chipper Shredder Vacuum The multifunctional Troy-Bilt Gas Powered Chipper Shredder Vacuum offers a powerful suction, and a handy chute for quick mulching of small sticks.
—Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Oct. 2024
All prosthetic legs are held on with suction, which means fit must be precise.
—Jothy Rosenberg, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
While these airflow systems do help cool the engine, everyone knows the real purpose is to generate low pressure under the car to suction it closer to the road.
—Rhett Allain, WIRED, 18 Oct. 2024
Make sure the child is having frequent feedings (and try to suction their nose before attempting to feed them) to avoid dehydration.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for suction
Dictionary Entries Near suction
Cite this Entry
“Suction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suction. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
suction
1 of 2 noun
suc·tion
ˈsək-shən 
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
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