suction

[ suhk-shuh n ]
/ ˈsʌk ʃən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR suction ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act, process, or condition of sucking.
the force that, by a pressure differential, attracts a substance or object to the region of lower pressure.
the act or process of producing such a force.

verb (used with object)

to draw out or remove by aspiration.

Origin of suction

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

OTHER WORDS FROM suction

suc·tion·al, adjective non·suc·tion, noun

Words nearby suction

sucre, sucrose, sucrose polyester, sucrosemia, sucrosuria, suction, suction and curettage, suction cup, suction drainage, suction lipectomy, suction pump

Words related to suction

weight, advantage, clout, intake, digestion, consumption, saturation, penetration, retention, absorb, inhale, drink, pull, grease, power, authority, break, drag, edge, rank

Example sentences from the Web for suction

British Dictionary definitions for suction

suction
/ (ˈsʌkʃən) /

noun

the act or process of sucking
the force or condition produced by a pressure difference, as the force holding a suction cap onto a surface
the act or process of producing such a force or condition

Derived forms of suction

suctional, adjective

Word Origin for suction

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

Scientific definitions for suction

suction
[ sŭk′shən ]

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