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
Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 11 Nov. 2024
Simply attach it to your vacuum, set the suction power and then suck up the dust lint from your dryer vent or dryer hose.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 4 Nov. 2024
Dr. Sejal Parekh, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024
At the same time, Hen and Chimney are able to suction bees out of the truck driver’s throat, bringing him back to consciousness.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for suction 
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Noun
In the meantime, however, the robovac delivers plenty of suction power, a spacious dustbin, and a 240ml water tank that allows this robot to also mop your floors.
—Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 11 Nov. 2024
Simply attach it to your vacuum, set the suction power and then suck up the dust lint from your dryer vent or dryer hose.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Alternative medications can be much harder to use, sometimes requiring young children to suction up fine powder from a disk.
—Dr. Sejal Parekh, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024
At the same time, Hen and Chimney are able to suction bees out of the truck driver’s throat, bringing him back to consciousness.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 26 Sep. 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 28 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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