# aspiration

/ˌæspɝˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌæspəɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aspiration
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. ambition

noun · CEFR B2

a strong hope or wish to achieve something important or high-level.

For teachers: a strong desire or ambition to achieve something, typically something elevated or spiritual in nature.

- Her lifelong aspiration was to become a doctor and help people in her village.
- The university's new scholarship programme aims to support the academic aspirations of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'to' or 'of'.

### 2. phonetics

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the sound of a small breath that comes out when you say certain letters, like 'p' or 't'.

For teachers: the audible breath that accompanies the release of a stop consonant.

- In English, the letter 'p' at the start of 'pin' has a strong aspiration.
- The linguist noted that the speaker's lack of aspiration on initial voiceless stops was characteristic of a specific regional accent.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the general phenomenon; countable when referring to a specific instance.

### 3. medical extraction

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the act of removing fluid or tissue from the body using a needle.

For teachers: the removal of fluids or gases from a body cavity or the suction of tissue samples through a needle.

- The doctor performed a needle aspiration to check the lump for infection.
- Fine-needle aspiration is a common diagnostic procedure used to determine whether a thyroid nodule is benign or malignant.

### 4. inhaling foreign objects

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

accidentally breathing food or liquid into your lungs instead of swallowing it.

For teachers: the act of inhaling foreign material into the lungs or respiratory tract.

- The nurse monitored the patient closely to prevent the aspiration of fluids into the lungs.
- Patients with swallowing difficulties are at a significantly higher risk of pulmonary aspiration, which can lead to pneumonia.

## Examples

- Her aspiration is to become a professional pilot.
- The scholarship program helps students with high academic aspirations who lack the financial means to attend university.
- While the company's global aspirations are clear, its immediate success depends on whether it can navigate the complex regulatory environment of its home market.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.