I. ˈsək-shən noun
Etymology: Late Latin suction-, suctio, from Latin sugere to suck — more at suck
Date: 1626
1. : the act or process of sucking
2.
a. : the act or process of exerting a force upon a solid, liquid, or gaseous body by reason of reduced air pressure over part of its surface
b. : force so exerted
3. : a device (as a pipe or fitting) used in a machine that operates by suction
• suc·tion·al -shə-n ə l, -shnəl adjective
II. transitive verb
Date: 1954
: to remove (as from a body cavity or passage) by suction