aspiration
noun
as·pi·ra·tion
ˌa-spə-ˈrā-shən 
1
a
: a strong desire to achieve something high or great
an aspiration to become famous
—usually plurala young man with political/literary aspirations
b
: an object of such desire
An acting career is her aspiration.
2
: a drawing of something in, out, up, or through by or as if by suction: such as
a
: the act of breathing and especially of breathing in
b
: the withdrawal (as by suction) of fluid or tissue from the body
the aspiration of stomach fluids
c
: the taking of foreign matter into the lungs with the respiratory current
problems caused by the aspiration of fluids into the patient's lungs
3
linguistics
a
: audible breath that accompanies or comprises a speech sound
b
: the pronunciation or addition of an aspiration
the aspiration of the letter "h" in "a house"
also
: the symbol of an aspiration
Examples of aspiration in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But, still, the study offers valuable evidence for understanding the earliest stages of dating in the digital age—suggesting that reality ultimately brings aspirations back to a more balanced playing field.
—
Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Indeed, in spite of Nuro’s announcement of ordering 20,000 Lucid vehicles, there have been many declarations of large orders from other companies, including Waymo, that were just aspirations, and never came to pass.
—Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
The adults then toast the kids: Steven’s early graduation and recovery from the crash, Conrad’s brains and career aspirations, Belly’s bright future and upcoming Parisian studies, and, um, Jeremiah’s super-senior status and no particular plans after that.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 23 July 2025
The lack of starting experience is a bit surprising for a team with playoff aspirations, especially considering the elite receivers — Ja’Marr Chase, DK Metcalf and Mike Evans, just to name a few — that Miami will face in 2025.
—Miami Herald, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for aspiration
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Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Indeed, in spite of Nuro’s announcement of ordering 20,000 Lucid vehicles, there have been many declarations of large orders from other companies, including Waymo, that were just aspirations, and never came to pass.
—Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
The adults then toast the kids: Steven’s early graduation and recovery from the crash, Conrad’s brains and career aspirations, Belly’s bright future and upcoming Parisian studies, and, um, Jeremiah’s super-senior status and no particular plans after that.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 23 July 2025
The lack of starting experience is a bit surprising for a team with playoff aspirations, especially considering the elite receivers — Ja’Marr Chase, DK Metcalf and Mike Evans, just to name a few — that Miami will face in 2025.
—Miami Herald, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for aspiration
Cite this Entry
“Aspiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspiration. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aspiration
noun
as·pi·ra·tion
ˌas-pə-ˈrā-shən
1
: pronunciation with or as an aspirate
2
: a drawing of something in, out, up, or through by suction
3
a
: a strong desire to achieve something high or great
b
: an object of such desire
Medical Definition
aspiration
noun
as·pi·ra·tion
ˌas-pə-ˈrā-shən
: a drawing of something in, out, up, or through by or as if by suction: as
a
: the act of breathing and especially of breathing in
b
: the withdrawal of fluid or friable tissue from the body
c
: the taking of foreign matter into the lungs with the respiratory current
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