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suction definition

suc·tion (suk′s̸hən)

noun

  1. the act or process of sucking
  2. the production of a vacuum or partial vacuum in a cavity or over a surface so that the external atmospheric pressure forces the surrounding fluid, particulate solid, etc. into the cavity or causes something to adhere to the surface
  3. the suction force created in this way

Etymology: L suctio < suctus, pp. of sugere, to suck

adjective

  1. causing suction
  2. operating by suction

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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