ventilation

noun

Etymology: Borrowed from Middle French ventilation, from Old French ventilacion, from Late Latin ventilatio, from Latin ventilo. Morphologically ventilate + -ion.

1. The replacement of stale or noxious air with fresh.

   “So you punched out a window for ventilation. Was that before or after you noticed you were standing in a lake of gasoline?”

2. The mechanical system used to circulate and replace air.
3. An exchange of views during a discussion.
4. The public exposure of an issue or topic.

   “"No, Mr. Malone, I will place no restriction upon your correspondence, since the ventilation of the facts is the object of your journey; but I demand that you shall give no particulars as to your exact destination, and that nothing be actually published until your return."”

5. The bodily process of breathing; the inhalation of air to provide oxygen, and the exhalation of spent air to remove carbon dioxide.

   “This toxin impairs ventilation by causing inflammation in the bronchioles.”

6. Ellipsis of mechanical ventilation.

   “It is time to try to wean this patient from ventilation.”