Definition of ventilate

The origin of the word "ventilate" can be traced back to the Latin word "ventilātus," which means "blown upon with wind." The word was adopted by the French during the Middle Ages and was spelled as "ventiler" in Old French. The French continued to use the term "ventiler" to refer to a device used for airing out a room or a building, which was commonly made of wood and operated through a crank. Over time, the English adopted the French term and spelled it as "ventilate." In its modern usage, the verb "ventilate" refers to the process of circulating air to provide good air quality and prevent suffocation or the buildup of hazardous substances in an enclosed space. This use of the word can be seen in its adjectival form, "ventilated," as used in the context of a building or a space with efficient air circulation. Thus, the origin of the word "ventilate" traces its roots to the Latin word for wind-directed air as it relates to the creation of clean, breathable air through devices and structures.