Suction
/ˈsʌkʃən/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 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. uncountable, usually
- 2 the act of sucking wordnet
- 3 A force holding two objects together because the pressure in the space between the items is lower than the pressure outside that space. uncountable, usually
- 4 a force over an area produced by a pressure difference wordnet
- 5 The process of creating an imbalance in pressure to draw matter from one place to another. uncountable, usually
"The first-named group — the insects that live by suction — include the scale insects, aphides, and sucking bugs[…]"
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- 6 A device for removing saliva from a patient's mouth during dental operations, a saliva ejector. uncountable, usually
- 7 influence; "pull". informal, uncountable, usually
"He's got some kind of suction with the Mayor's office."
Verb
- 1 To create an imbalance in pressure between one space and another in order to draw matter between the spaces.
- 2 empty or clean (a body cavity) by the force of suction wordnet
- 3 To draw out the contents of a space.
- 4 remove or draw away by the force of suction wordnet
Example
More examples"Sea lampreys attach to fish with a suction cup mouth ringed with sharp teeth."
Etymology
From Latin sūctiō, attested since Late Latin and derived from sūgō (“to suck”). Attested in English since the early 17th century.