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. Patty Khuly, miamiherald, 5 July 2018
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
However, to own the rights to its exclusive and exotic naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8 requires deep pockets, as in at least $109,695 for the 1LZ coupe (only $400 more than last year).
—Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 19 July 2023
Water-cooled and naturally aspirated, the mill develops 118 hp and delivers 110 ft lbs of torque—a pretty favorable power-to-weight ratio considering the Super 3 is a 1,400-pound machine.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2024
The original’s naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V-12 has transformed over the years, however, and now produces up to 769 hp and 531 ft lbs of torque—as compared to the 690 hp and 509 ft lbs of torque from the LP 700-4 of 2011.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024
So long, Hemi, hello inline 6 After more than 20 years as a mainstay of Dodge and Ram pickups, the 5.7L naturally aspirated Hemi V8 engine is missing from the 2025 Ram 1500.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 22 Feb. 2024
Ferrari built six factory cars and five customer versions, each featuring a new 2-liter, naturally aspirated inline-four—an engine developed by Ferrari engineer Aurelio Lampredi.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 15 Feb. 2024
Her son, Max, had overdosed on opioids, aspirated vomit and fallen into a coma.
—Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024
Germany automaker Audi decided to stop producing its potent, naturally aspirated 10-cylinder R8 supercar this year after introducing the model to American drivers in 2008.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 9 Dec. 2023
Noun
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
The setup pairs a longitudinally positioned naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V-12 with a 48-volt electrical motor that combines to produce over 800 horses.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
However, to own the rights to its exclusive and exotic naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8 requires deep pockets, as in at least $109,695 for the 1LZ coupe (only $400 more than last year).
—Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 19 July 2023
Water-cooled and naturally aspirated, the mill develops 118 hp and delivers 110 ft lbs of torque—a pretty favorable power-to-weight ratio considering the Super 3 is a 1,400-pound machine.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2024
The original’s naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V-12 has transformed over the years, however, and now produces up to 769 hp and 531 ft lbs of torque—as compared to the 690 hp and 509 ft lbs of torque from the LP 700-4 of 2011.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024
So long, Hemi, hello inline 6 After more than 20 years as a mainstay of Dodge and Ram pickups, the 5.7L naturally aspirated Hemi V8 engine is missing from the 2025 Ram 1500.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 22 Feb. 2024
Ferrari built six factory cars and five customer versions, each featuring a new 2-liter, naturally aspirated inline-four—an engine developed by Ferrari engineer Aurelio Lampredi.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 15 Feb. 2024
Her son, Max, had overdosed on opioids, aspirated vomit and fallen into a coma.
—Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024
Germany automaker Audi decided to stop producing its potent, naturally aspirated 10-cylinder R8 supercar this year after introducing the model to American drivers in 2008.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 9 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aspirate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near aspirate
Cite this Entry
“Aspirate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspirate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.
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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