suction

Meaning

Noun

1. (uncountable, usually) A force which pushes matter from one space into another because the pressure inside the second space is lower than the pressure in the first.
2. (uncountable, usually) A force holding two objects together because the pressure in the space between the items is lower than the pressure outside that space.
3. (uncountable, usually) The process of creating an imbalance in pressure to draw matter from one place to another.
4. (uncountable, usually) A device for removing saliva from a patient's mouth during dental operations, a saliva ejector.
5. (informal, uncountable, usually) influence; "pull".

Verb

1. To create an imbalance in pressure between one space and another in order to draw matter between the spaces.
2. To draw out the contents of a space.

Synonyms

sucking

absorption

suck

aspiration

absorbing

suction-pipe

attraction

suck in

drinking

enhancement

immersion

intake

absorb

pressure

puff

pumping

push

suckle

suckling

suck up

take in

take up

thrust

sop up

sucking up

milking

absorbent

aspirate

aspirator

blow

draft

draw in

drawing

Translations

succión

succion

suzione

aspirazione

succió

Saugwirkung

Saugfähigkeit

Aufsaugen

absorption

Sog

sucer

Einsaugen

αναρρόφηση

Saugen

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsʌkʃən/

Etymology

From Latin sūctiō, attested since Late Latin and derived from sūgō (“to suck”). Attested in English since the early 17th century.